Rewritable optical data storage in azobenzene copolymers.
We propose to encode optical information through the localized depoling of polar chromophores in thin films of grafted polymeric materials with a femtosecond near IR laser source. This disorientation is promoted through the photoisomerization of the azo-dye component induced by a twophoton absorption process. We show that the resulting localized loss in second harmonic generation efficiency can be exploited in data storage applications. The low irradiation powers used allow for a recycling by reheating and repoling the films leading to a rewritable system.
Gindre
Denis
D
Boeglin
Alex
A
Fort
Alain
A
Mager
Loïc
L
Dorkenoo
Kokou D
KD