Exploring the cylindrical photo-bending shape in polydomain nematic   glass
  This paper explores different photo-bending shapes in polydomain nematic glass. The motivation is to explain the phenomenon in experiment [1] under polarized light in which a nematic film curls into an circular arc, like part of a cylindrical surface. Polarized light triggers photo-isomerization and therefore makes liquid crystals (LCs) contract along their directors. We apply the Sachs limit to homogenize the deformation of polydomain LC glass. Photo-strain can be either contraction or expansion through the material. Bending shapes can be anticlastic, bowl-shaped and cylindrical affected by Poisson ratio and illumination intensity. An explanation for the cylindrical bend and ways to observe other shapes are given in a parameter plane. 
Chen Xuan, Changwei Xu, Yongzhong Huo
cond-mat.mtrl-sci cond-mat.soft physics.optics