title: A light-induced photochromic nanoswitch capable of non-destructive readout via fluorescence emission: cluster vs. single-molecule excitation of dihydroindolizines.
abstract: We have synthesized a prototype of a photochromic styrylquinolyl-dihydroindolizine (DHI), which forms a highly coloured and fluorescent betaine upon irradiation with lambda<400 nm. Embedding this photochromic DHI in a thin polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) film permits the non-destructive readout via fluorescence at low temperature (77 K). Thus, either a non-destructive photoswitch or an information recording system becomes available. Both possibilities have been explored: image recording and read-out, as well as information storage (at 77 K) have been demonstrated. Cluster- and single molecule-fluorescence upon laser excitation (lambda=355 nm) of the styrylquinolyl-dihydroindolizine in a PMMA matrix, and the effect of fluorescence blinking has been observed.
authors.affiliation: FR 8.12 Organische Chemie, Universität des Saarlandes, 66041, Saarbrücken, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Tej B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Shrestha
authors.forename: Stefan H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Bossmann
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hübner
authors.forename: Alois
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Renn
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dürr