Multilayer films of a polyacrylate-based azo polyelectrolyte were fabricated by a spin self-assembly method.By spin-coating solutions of the azo polyelectrolyte in DMF/H2O mixed solvent and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride（PDAC） in water,high quality multilayer films were obtained.Dichroism was optically induced in the self-assembled films under the irradiation of a polarized Ar+ laser beam at 488 nm.The dichroism was easily detected from UV-Vis spectra and exhibited long term stability.The orientational order parameter obtained was about 0.06 for the film.With interfering illumination of Ar+ laser beams,significant surface relief gratings formed on the self-assembled multiplayer films were observed.
