New Chiral Nematic Materials with Photovariable Helical Supramolecular Structure for Reversible Optical Data Recording

Abstract

Chiral nematic materials with reversibly controlled helical pitch are synthesized here and their photo-optical properties are investigated. Selective light reflection in the green region is observed and patterns such as that shown in the Figure can be recorded. High fatigue resistance is also demonstrated for these materials, which can undergo repeated record/erase cycles without loss of color characteristics.