The synthesis and structural characterization of optically active copolymers such as poly[(S)-(+)-MCPP-co-(S)-MAP-N] and poly[(S)-(+)-MCPP-co-(S)-MAP-C] has been performed in order to obtain a multifunctional photonic material for chiroptical switches and for optical storage applications. The observed chiroptical properties suggest the presence of ordered chiral conformations at least for the chain segments of the macromolecules. Spectroscopic, thermal and chiroptical characterization of these copolymers demonstrate the occurrence of significant electronic interactions between the carbazole chromophores and the azobenzene moieties. The photoinduction of birefringence of copolymer films has been investigated in order to evaluate their behavior as a material for optical data storage. Surface-relief gratings (SRG) have also been inscribed on the material. The results are interpreted in terms of copolymer composition, cooperative behavior and conformational stiffness of the chromophoric co-units. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.