Photo-control of magnetization by photochromic compounds

The development of new magnetic materials in which magnetic properties are combined with optical properties has been extensively studied. So far, several photo-responsive molecular solids have been reported. However, the strategies that are necessary to achieve photoinduced switching in a solid state are yet to be clarified. Here, I have focused on composite materials as a novel strategy for realizing such photo-functional magnetic systems. These include the incorporation of organic photochromes into magnetic systems, e.g., photo-controllable magnetic vesicles and LB films containing Prussian blue or iron oxide nanoparticles and azobenzene.