A rapid response photochromic diarylethene material for rewritable holographic data storage

A novel diarylethene, namely 4,5-(2,5-dimethyl thiophene) phthalimide, was synthesized and successfully introduced to rewritable holographic data storage. Upon the alternative illumination of UV and visible light (λ>400 nm), this compound underwent rapid, reversible inter-conversion between colorless open-ring isomer and yellow-green ring-closed form in both solution and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) film. Subsequently, we investigated the characteristics of volume homographic recording of the diarylethene-doped PMMA film (1 μm thick). The maximum refractive index modulation (0.87‰) of the film during recording could be reached within just 120 s which gave the ability of fast recording. The high quality reconstruction after 50 write/erase cycles demonstrated its excellent fatigue-resistance and high resolution. All those results indicated that this molecule was a reliable fast write/erase holographic storage material.