The influence of light on the conduction switching effect in thin polymer films

The effect of exposure to visible light on pressure- and field-induced switching from the low-conductivity to the high-conductivity state in thin polymer films was experimentally studied. The switching effect was observed in poly(diphenylene phthalide) and polyvinylcarbazole layers doped with a cyanine dye. Doping with the dye reduces the voltage at which the polymer is switched to the conducting state. However, an Al—dye complex is formed with time, which results in an increase in the switching voltage and pressure. It was found that illumination leads to the appearance of additional conductivity in the sample; in the samples prone to switching to the conducting state, light stimulates switching and leads to blocking the injection sites for charge carriers in the low-conductivity state.