Multiple wavelength optical recording using cyanine dye <i>J</i> aggregates in Langmuir–Blodgett films

Abstract

An optical storage technique based on the characteristic absorption bands of J aggregates of organic dyes is reported. The information is written by disordering the regular structures of cyanine dye J aggregates with a laser beam. This technique gives high recording sensitivity, and the disordered dye molecules can be made to reform the J aggregate, which indicates that the recording process is reversible. The J aggregates of cyanine dyes were formed by incorporating them in Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films. The advantages of the narrow absorption bands of J aggregates and of the controlled multilayer forming capability of LB films were combined to demonstrate multiple wavelength optical recording using two recording layers.