Experiments synthesized three azo functionalized polyelectrolytes from a very reactive precursor polymer, poly(acryloyl chloride). The polyelectrolytes had -COOH groups on their polymer chains and coluld be dissolved in an aqueous solution at pH 8. The azobenzene chromophores in the side chains acted as photoresponsive sites. In the fabrication of self assembled multiayers, the polyetrolytes acted as polyanions. The degree of functionalization of the azo chromophorse varied from 10.1 percent to 15.0 percent. Poly(diallydimethyl-ammonium chloride) acted as the polycation. The polyelectrolytes were dissolved in ultrapure water at 10 millimole concentration. Adjustment of the pH to 8 increased polyanion solubility. The substrates were glass and quartz glass strips. Alternate layer by layer deposition of the polyanions and polycation fabricted multilayer thin films. Upon ultraviolet irradiation, multilayers based on two of the polyelectrolytes showed a photochromic effect. The rate of cis-trans isomerization depended on the type of electron acceptors of the azo chromophores and on the local environment. 6 refs.