The gas permeability of membranes composed of a polymer functionalized with azobenzene chromophores (azopolymer) was investigated under different conditions of light irradiation. A series of measurements with He gas showed that the permeability of the membranes increased by 5-10% upon irradiation with blue light, which caused cyclic photoisomerization of the azobenzene chromophores. In contrast, no significant change in gas permeability and no photoisomerization of the azobenzene chromophores were observed upon irradiation with red light. Moreover, using a digital video microscope, we observed that azopolymer irradiated with blue light spread out from localized particulate domains and thinly covered the surface of the base membrane. Together with the results of the photoresponse permeability measurements, this observation strongly suggested the existence of photoinduced plasticization as discussed in the study of photoinduced surface relief formation. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.