Light sensitive liquid crystal elastomers (LS-LCE) are a special class of the well-known liquid crystal elastomers (LCE). The coupling between orientation of photosensitive mesogenic groups and the shape of polymer chain enables mechanical deformations induced by optical illumination. On the other hand, elastic deformation of LCEs can affect their optical properties. In my master's thesis LS-LCEs are investigated in two different ways, namely by measuring optical absorption anisotropy of the sample and by polarization optical microscopy. In the first series of experiments LS-LCE was gradually expanded and modifications in the orientation of the optical axis were monitored by measuring the transmission of probe beams of different wavelengths. In the second part of the thesis, the influence of linearly polarized optical beam at $\lambda = 532 nm$ on optical properties of the material for incident polarization being parallel, perpendicular and at some arbitrary angle with respect to the optical axis is studied. The intensity of acting beam is changed and transmission of the probe beam ($\lambda = 633 nm$) is analised at different extensions of the sample.
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