Novel poly(arylene ether)s containing di-azobenzene moieties (diazo-PAEs) were synthesized from a new di-azobenzene monomer, bis(4-((4-cyanophenyl)diazenyl)phenyl)5,5'-carbonylbis(2-fluorobenzenesulfonate). These polymers show good thermal stability, with glass transition temperatures and 5% weight-loss temperatures above 160 degrees C and 406 degrees C, respectively. Upon irradiation with a 532 nm neodymium dope yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser beam, these polymers present a high remnant value, and no fatigue phenomena were observed after several cycles of inscription-erasure-inscription sequences. By exposing diazo-PAE films to an interference pattern of laser beams (355 nm) at modest intensity (approximately 80 mW/cm(2)), stable surface relief gratings (SRGs) can be formed. (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.