Deoxyribonucleic acid-based photochromic material for fast dynamic holography

Abstract

The authors report on a biopolymeric material made of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) complexed with the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethyl-ammonium (CTMA) and doped with the photochromic disperse red 1 dye (DR1) for dynamic holographic recording. The molar ratio of the DNA-CTMA to the dye is about 5:1. They have found that the photochromic properties of DR1 in the DNA-CTMA matrix are favorably modified in speed of response with respect to conventional polymeric matrices. Dynamic holographic gratings which were inscribed in DR1:DNA-CTMA films are characterized by switching times within a 1–10ms range. An excellent reversibility of the recording process is reported.