Reversible optical storage using all-optical poling technique in azopolymer film

Employing all-optical poling technique, we propose a novel method of optical storage based on the mechanism of photoinduced isomerization and reorientation of azobenzenes. The recording of an optical binary image was experimentally demonstrated in an azo-dye doped polymer film. The recorded information can be permanently stored and also can be erased rapidly with a circularly polarized light. Furthermore, a wavelength conversion of optical image can be obtained using such method.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.