Photoinduced pattern formation in azopolymer films: from structured light to topological dynamics

The interaction of structured light with azobenzene-functionalized polymers provides a powerful route to modulate matter at the nanoscale. Over the past decade, we have shown that azopolymers respond to optical fields with complex pattern formation, driven by light-induced trans–cis isomerization and resulting in mass transport and self-organized surface structures. Building on this foundation, I will present our latest findings on the dynamics of symmetry breaking in these materials. This unexpected inversion arises from optical saturation and elastic frustration, which suppress adiabatic relaxation and amplify disorder. This work not only expands the landscape of non-equilibrium statistical physics but also highlights azopolymer films as a uniquely controllable platform for studying topological dynamics and reconfigurable soft-matter photonics.