Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Amorphous high-Tg polymers films containing electron-donor-electronacceptor substituted azobenzene groups can be used as reversible optical storage materials. Optical information can be “written” on the film with a polarized argon laser beam and “read” with a low power HeNe laser. Erasing can be performed with a circularly polarized writing beam. A significant number of writing/erasing cycles can be performed on the same spot. Potential applications in optical memory, holographic storage, waveguides and second harmonic generation are discussed.