Preparation and Holographic Recording of Diarylethene-Doped Photochromic Films

Abstract

This study investigated the photochromic properties and characterization of acetyl-substituted diarylethene (DAMBTF6)-doped fluoroacrylates media for holographic storage. For the rewritable holographic recording media, we prepared photochromic polymer films using an acrylate matrix by simple photocuring methods. Switching light sources from a visible (532 nm) to an ultraviolet (365 nm) produced transparent films that changed from pale yellow to red. Holographic recording was performed on the photochromic films by two interfering collimated plane wave beams. Excitation with a visible or ultraviolet light completely erased the records, and the film was rewritable either by 532 nm laser or by 325 nm laser within 2 seconds. Images were recorded onto a pixelated spatial light modulator with rectangular pixel apertures and reconstructed on the photochromic films to show recovery of the original images with high resolution.