Reflection confocal microscope readout system for three-dimensional photochromic optical data storage

Sub-Diffraction Readout Method of High-Capacity Optical Data Storage Based on Polarization Modulation

The big data era demands an efficient and permanent data storage technology with the capacity of PB to EB scale. Optical data storage (ODS) offers a good candidate for long-lifetime storage, as the developing far-field super-resolution nanoscale writing technology improves its capacity to the PB scale. However, methods to efficiently read out this intensive ODS data are still lacking. In this paper, we demonstrate a sub-diffraction readout method based on polarization modulation, which experimentally achieves the sub-diffraction readout on Disperse Red 13 thin film with a resolution of 500 nm, exceeding the diffraction limit by 1.2 times (NA = 0.5). Differing from conventional binary encoding, we propose a specific polarization encoding method that enhances the capacity of ODS by 1.5 times. In the simulation, our method provides an optical data storage readout resolution of 150 nm, potentially to 70 nm, equivalent to 1.1 PB in a DVD-sized disk. This sub-diffraction readout method has great potential as a powerful readout tool for next-generation optical data storage.

Deep learning-based photodamage reduction on harmonic generation microscope at low-level optical power

The trade-off between high-quality images and cellular health in optical bioimaging is a crucial problem. We demonstrated a deep-learning-based power-enhancement (PE) model in a harmonic generation microscope (HGM), including second harmonic generation (SHG) and third harmonic generation (THG). Our model can predict high-power HGM images from low-power images, greatly reducing the risk of phototoxicity and photodamage. Furthermore, the PE model trained only on normal skin data can also be used to predict abnormal skin data, enabling the dermatopathologist to successfully identify and label cancer cells. The PE model shows potential for in-vivo and ex-vivo HGM imaging.

Diarylethene-Based Ionic Liquids: Synthesis and Photo-Driven Solution Properties

In this work, the design and synthesis of a series of photochromic gemini diarylethene-based ionic liquids (GDILs) with different cationic motifs is reported. Several synthetic pathways were optimized for the formation of cationic GDILs with chloride as the counterion. The different cationic motifs were achieved through the N-alkylation of the photochromic organic core unit with different tertiary amines, including different aromatic amines such as imidazole derivatives and pyridinium, and other non-aromatic amines. These novel salts present surprising water solubility with unexplored photochromic features that broaden their known applications. The covalent attachment of the different side groups dictates their water solubility and differences upon photocyclization. The physicochemical properties of GDILs in aqueous and in imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL) solutions were investigated. Upon irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light, we have observed changes in the physico-chemical properties of distinct solutions containing these GDILs, at very low concentrations. More specifically, in aqueous solution, the overall conductivity increased with the time of UV photoirradiation. In contrast, in IL solution, these photoinducible changes are dependent on the type of ionic liquid used. These compounds can improve non-ionic and ionic liquids' solutions since we can change their properties, such as conductivity, viscosity or ionicity, only by UV photoirradiation. The electronic and conformational changes associated with these innovative stimuli GDILs may open new opportunities for their use as photoswitchable materials.

Design and Study of a Photo-Switchable Polymeric System in the Presence of ZnS Nanoparticles under the Influence of UV Light Irradiation

Recent progress in the field of photosensitive materials has prompted a need to develop efficient methods to synthesize materials with basic intermolecular architectural designs and novel properties. Accordingly, in this work we design and study a photoactive polymer as a photo-switchable polymeric system in the presence and absence of ZnS nanoparticles (average size < 10 nm) at 5 wt.%. The influence of UV light irradiation on its properties were also studied. The photoactive block copolymer was obtained from styrene (S) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) as monomers and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3,3-dimethylindoline-6-nitrobenzopyran (SP) was grafted to the block copolymer backbone as a photochromic agent. Furthermore, the incorporation of ZnS (NPs) as photo-optical switch component into the system enhances the purple colored photo-emission, with the open form of the spiropyran derivative (merocyanine, MC). The ZnS stabilize the isomeric equilibrium in the MC interconversion of the photochromic agent. The photo-switchable properties of the PS-b-PMMA-SP in the presence of ZnS (NPs) were examined using UV-VIS spectroscopy, Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, optical fluorescence and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM-EDX.). The observed changes in the absorbance, fluorescence and morphology of the system were associated to the reversible interconversion of the two states of the photochromic agent which regulates the radiative deactivation of the luminescent ZnS NPs component. After UV irradiation the photoactive polymer becomes purple in color. Therefore, these basic studies can lead to the development of innovative functional and nanostructured materials with photosensitive character as photosensitive molecular switches.

Synthesis and properties of a photochromic perinaphthothioindigo conjugated with two porphyrins

In this study, we synthesized a new porphyrin-perinaphthothioindigo composite in which two porphyrins are connected to a perinaphthothioindigo dye through ethynyl linkages. The UV-vis absorption spectra of the composite showed an absorption peak originating from the trans-isomer at around 730 nm. Upon photoirradiation at 760 nm, the intensity of this absorption decreased with increasing absorption of the cis-isomer around 500 nm. The HOMO–LUMO absorption of the cis-isomer is blue-shifted by ˜230 nm compared to that of trans-isomer due to lack of [Formula: see text] conjugation. The shift by 230 nm is 100 nm larger than that observed for the monoporphyrin-substituted compound, indicating the expansion of [Formula: see text] conjugation by the additional porphyrin.

Novel Strategy for Designing Photochromic Ceramic: Reversible Upconversion Luminescence Modification and Optical Information Storage Application in the PbWO4:Yb3+, Er3+ Photochromic Ceramic

Inorganic photochromic material is an available medium to obtain optical information storage. The photochromic property of the inorganic material is mainly from the defects of the host. However, the formation of defects in the host is uncontrollable, in particular, the revisable formation and removement of defects are difficult. Thus, there are few inorganic materials with the revisable photochromism upon the entire light stimulation. Therefore, it is an urgent need to find a suitable approach to design inorganic photochromic materials. Here, the photochromic PbWO₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ ceramic was designed with the help of valence state change of W⁶⁺ → W⁵⁺ and Pb²⁺ → Pb⁴⁺. Upon the 532 nm laser stimulation, the photochromism of the PbWO₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ ceramic was obtained based on the Pb²⁺ + hν (532 nm) → Pb⁴⁺ + 2e^- and W⁶⁺ + e^- + hν (532 nm) → W⁵⁺ reaction, resulting in the optical information writing. Under the stimulation of an 808 nm laser, the written optical information was erased based on the W⁵⁺ + hν (808 nm) → W⁶⁺ + e^- and Pb⁴⁺ + 2e^- + hν (808 nm) → Pb²⁺ reaction. In addition, the photochromism-induced upconversion emission modification was obtained in the PbWO₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ ceramic, realizing the effective and nondestructive reading out of optical information. The cyclic experiment demonstrated a good reproducibility of both photochromism and upconversion emission modification, exhibiting the potential application of the PbWO₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ ceramic as the optical data storage medium.

The influence of gold nanoparticles on the two photon absorption of photochromic molecular systems

In this study, we investigate the influence of gold nanoparticles on the nonlinear optical properties of the dihydroazulene/vinylheptafulvene photo- and thermochromic system.

Light-induced mechanical response in crosslinked liquid-crystalline polymers with photoswitchable glass transition temperatures

Energy conversion of light into mechanical work is of fundamental interest in applications. In particular, diligent molecular design on nanoscale, in order to achieve efficient photomechanical effects on macroscopic scale, has become one of the most interesting study topics. Here, by incorporating a "photomelting" azobenzene monomer crosslinked into liquid crystalline (LC) networks, we generate photoresponsive polymer films that exhibit reversible photoswitchable glass transition temperatures (Tg) at room temperature (~20 °C) and photomechanical actuations under the stimulus of UV/visible light. The trans-to-cis isomerization of azo chromophores results in a change in Tg of the crosslinked LC polymers. The Tg of the polymer network is higher than room temperature in the trans-form and lower than room temperature in the cis-form. We demonstrate the photoswitchable Tg contribute to the photomechanical bending and a new mechanism for photomechanical bending that attributes the process to an inhomogeneous change in Tg of the film is proposed.

A highly selective fluorescent chemosensor for Fe3+ based on a new diarylethene with a rhodamine 6G unit

A new multi-functional diarylethene-rhodamine 6G derivative was synthesized; its colorimetric and fluorometric sensing ability for Fe³⁺/EDTA, TFA/TEA and switching behaviors induced by light were investigated.

Ultrathin high-index metasurfaces for shaping focused beams

The volume size of a converging wave, which plays a relevant role in image resolution, is governed by the wavelength of the radiation and the numerical aperture (NA) of the wavefront. We designed an ultrathin (λ/8 width) curved metasurface that is able to transform a focused field into a high-NA optical architecture, thus boosting the transverse and (mainly) on-axis resolution. The elements of the metasurface are metal-insulator subwavelength gratings exhibiting extreme anisotropy with ultrahigh index of refraction for TM polarization. Our results can be applied to nanolithography and optical microscopy.

Nonlinear optical response of photochromic azobenzene-functionalized self-assembled monolayers

The combination of photochromic and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of azobenzene-functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) constitutes an intriguing step towards novel photonic and optoelectronic devices. By utilizing the second-order NLO process of second harmonic generation (SHG), supported by density-functional theory and correlated wave function method calculations, we demonstrate that the photochromic interface provides the necessary prerequisites en route towards possible future technical applications: we find a high NLO contrast on the order of 16% between the switching states. These are furthermore accessible reversibly and with high efficiencies in terms of cross sections on the order of 10(-18) cm(2) for both photoisomerization reactions, i.e., drivable by means of low-power LED light sources. Finally, both photostationary states (PSSs) are thermally stable at ambient conditions.

Practical synthesis of photochromic diarylethenes in integrated flow microreactor systems

An effective method for the synthesis of photochromic diarylethenes through the generation of heteroaryllithiums and subsequent reaction with octafluorocyclopentene has been developed by using integrated flow microreactor systems. Reactions can be conducted without using cryogenic conditions by virtue of effective temperature and residence time control, although much lower temperatures (<-78 °C) are needed for batch macroreactions. Moreover, the synthesis of unsymmetrical diarylethenes, which is difficult to achieve when using conventional batch macrosystems, has been accomplished based on the selective introduction of one aryl group to give arylheptafluorocyclopentene followed by the introduction of another aryl group. The productivity of the laboratory-scale system is approximately 0.5 mmol min(-1). Therefore, the present integrated flow microreactor method serves as a practical way of synthesizing various photochromic diarylethene derivatives.

Superresolution-focal-volume induced 3.0 Tbytes/disk capacity by focusing a radially polarized beam

This paper reports on the study of the superresolution volume of the focal spot by focusing a radially polarized beam. This feature is achieved by increasing the inner radius of a high NA annular objective to break the diffraction-limited volume of a focal spot. The application of this finding into two-photon induced three-dimensional optical data storage leads to an enhanced photoreduction threshold effect in recording. As such, multilayer subdiffraction optical recording is experimentally demonstrated with an equivalent capacity of 3.0 Tbytes/disk.

Lateral resolution enhancement in confocal microscopy by vectorial aperture engineering

This article reports the design and implementation of a lateral resolution-enhancement technique in confocal microscopy that can work, in principle, either in the reflection mode or in the fluorescence mode. Taking the difference between two images corresponding to two different vectorially (involving amplitude, phase, and polarization of light) engineered illumination pupils or apertures of a confocal microscope, high spatial frequency contents in the resultant image can be significantly enhanced. This can be realized by incorporating an extra vectorial beam-forming element into the illumination beam path of a conventional confocal microscope. The method of the proposed technique has been explained by giving it an analytical treatment supported by numerical simulation results. The technique has been implemented in a reflection mode confocal microscope and results obtained are presented.

Confocal reflection readout thresholds in two-photon-induced optical recording

Confocal reflection readout thresholds in two-photon-induced optical recording in photoisomerization polymer are studied both theoretically and experimentally. A threshold of the axial response from a planar reflector with a refractive-index change of the order of 10(-2) is revealed. However, the threshold is reduced to 0.006 when strong forward scattering caused by the recorded bits leads to multiple reflection between the bit and the rare surface, which enhances the image contrast and reduces the readout threshold. The quality of the reconstructed bit image is strongly dependent on the refractive-index mismatch at the sample rare interface as well as the distance between the recorded position and the rare surface.

Rewritable polarization-encoded multilayer data storage in 2,5-dimethyl-4-(p-nitrophenylazo)anisole doped polymer

We report a rewritable polarization-encoded multilayer data storage method with a polymer film doped with the azo dye DMNPAA (2,5-dimethyl-4-(p-nitrophenylazo)anisole). It is found that under two-photon excitation by a linearly polarized femtosecond laser beam at wavelength 780 nm the optical axis of DMNPAA molecules can be oriented to the perpendicular direction of the beam via a trans-cis-trans isomerization process. As a result, multilayer polarization-encoded optical data storage is demonstrated by recording two letters of a bit spacing of 4 microm in the same region of a given layer. It is shown that erasing and rewriting a particular layer is possible.

Two-Photon Photochromism of a Diarylethene Enhanced by Förster Resonance Energy Transfer from Two-Photon Absorbing Fluorenes

Resonance energy transfer from two-photon absorbing fluorene derivatives to the photochromic compound 3,4-bis-(2,4,5-trimethyl-thiophen-3-yl)furan-2,5-dione (PC 1) is investigated in hexane under one- and two-photon excitation. The quenching of the steady-state fluorescence of donor molecules in the presence of the diarylethene acceptor is used to study the nature of resonance energy transfer. The Förster distances and critical acceptor concentrations are determined for nonbound donor-acceptor pairs in homogeneous molecular ensembles. Quite significantly, up to a two-fold enhancement in the velocity of the photochromic transformation of 1, in the presence of two-photon absorbing fluorene derivatives, is demonstrated.

Photochromic Reactions of Diarylethenes in Single Crystals with Intermolecular OH⋅⋅⋅N Hydrogen-Bonding Networks

The crystal structures and photochromic performance of a single crystal of a diarylethene derivative possessing carboxyl groups, 1,2-bis(5-carboxyl-2-methyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene (1 a), and cocrystals of 1 a with 4,4'-, 2,4'-, and 2,2'-bipyridines were examined. In crystal 1 a, a discrete cyclic structure was observed, in which four 1 a molecules are linked through hydrogen bonds between the carboxyl groups. In the homocrystal, photoreactive and photoinactive conformers of 1 a exist in the ratio of 1:1. In the cocrystals of 1 a with bipyridines, O--HN-type hydrogen bonds between 1 a and pyridyl groups were formed, and all 1 a molecules are fixed in a photoreactive conformation. Both the homocrystal 1 a and the cocrystals showed photochromic performances, and color variation from bluish-violet to cyan was observed, depending on the conformation of the packed diarylethene molecules.

Two-Photon Photochromism of Diarylethene Dimer Derivatives

Photochromic diarylethene dimer derivatives with large two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-sections have been designed and synthesized. The derivatives have a D-pi-D structure in which indole rings are used as donor units (D) and 1,4-bis(ethynyl)benzene or 1,4-bis(ethenyl)benzene as a pi-conjugated chain unit (pi). Compound 5 a, which has oxazole rings as one of the aryl groups, showed a TPA cross-section of 23 GM at 820 nm and exhibited efficient two-photon photochromic reactivity.

Light propagation in a multilayered medium for three-dimensional optical memory

We report on the optimization of film thicknesses in a multilayered medium to increase readout signal intensity. The multilayered medium consists of a stack of photosensitive and transparent films, arranged alternately. The thicknesses of the photosensitive and transparent films in the multilayered medium were optimized for a reflection confocal system to read out data by analyzing the propagation of light focused into a multilayered medium.

Microholographic multilayer optical disk data storage

Micrometer-sized reflection holograms can be written into a rapidly rotating homogeneous photopolymer disk at the focus of a high-numerical-aperture beam and its retroreflection to implement high-capacity multilayer digital data storage. This retroreflection is generated by an optical system with positive unity magnification to ensure passive alignment of the counterpropagating beam. Analysis reveals that the storage capacity and transfer rate of this bit-based holographic storage system compare favorably with traditional page-based systems but at a fraction of the system complexity and cost. The analysis is experimentally validated at 532 nm by writing and reading 12 layers of microholograms in a 125-microm photopolymer disk continuously rotating at 3600 rpm. The experimental results predict a capacity limit of 140 Gbytes in a millimeter-thick disk or over 1 Tbyte with the wavelength and numerical aperture of Blu-Ray.

High-resolution optical storage by use of minute spheres

We have developed a new optical storage system that uses minute spheres arranged upon a surface-relief grating. By using dye-doped minute spheres as recording bits we can limit a sensitive region within a sphere's diameter. Using a reflection-type confocal optical system, we read out shape signals from minute spheres at high resolution. The shape signals from minute spheres are utilized as clock signals in recording and readout.

Crystal engineering of photochromic diarylethene single crystals

Photochromic performance of diarylethene single crystals was controlled by crystal engineering using non-covalent aromatic-aromatic interactions as the directional intermolecular force. A diarylethene derivative with two pentafluorophenyl groups, 1,2-bis(2-methyl-5-pentafluorophenyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene (1a), formed stoichiometric co-crystals with benzene (Bz) and naphthalene (Np) by aryl-perfluoroaryl interactions. Face-to-face pi-stacking interactions between the pentafluorophenyl groups of 1a and the aromatic molecules are responsible for 2:1 and 1:1 stoichiometric compositions in 1a/Bz and 1a/Np co-crystals, respectively. The diarylethene underwent thermally stable and photoreversible photochromic reactions in a homo-crystal of 1a and co-crystals 1a/Bz and 1a/Np. The absorption spectra of the photogenerated closed-ring isomers varied depending on the conformation of the diarylethene molecules packed in the crystals. The diarylethene 1a also formed 1:1 stoichiometric co-crystals with different kinds of diarylethenes, 1,2-bis(2-ethyl-5-phenyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene (2a) and 1,2-bis[2-methyl-5-(1-naphthyl)-3-thienyl]perfluorocyclopentene (3a). Both co-crystals 1a/2a and 1a/3a showed photochromism. Although 1a, 2a, and 3a underwent efficient photocyclization reactions in their homo-crystals, highly selective photocyclization reactions of 2a or 3a were observed in the co-crystals. The selective reactions were confirmed by HPLC and X-ray crystallography. Excited energy transfers from 1a to 2a and from 1a to 3a are considered to occur and cause the selective reactions.

Compact confocal readout system for three-dimensional memories using a laser-feedback semiconductor laser

We present a compact confocal readout system for three-dimensional optical memories that uses the thresholding property of a semiconductor laser for feedback light. The system has higher axial resolution than a conventional confocal system with a pinhole. We demonstrate readout results for data recorded in two recording layers with the developed system.

Crystal structure-reactivity correlation in single-crystalline photochromism of 1,2-bis(2-methyl-5-phenyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene

Single-crystalline photochromism of 1,2-bis(2-methyl-5-phenyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene 1a was followed in situ by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The crystal of 1a has two molecules with different conformations in the crystallographic asymmetric unit. The X-ray analysis of the photoirradiated crystal showed that the photocyclization reaction of the molecule with the shorter distance between the reactive carbons prevails over the reaction of the other molecule. The mechanism has been discussed based on the calculation of the electronic transitions of the two molecules in the different conformations. The photocyclization quantum yield was determined to be 1 (100%) in the crystal.

Two-photon-excitation spatial distribution for crossed focused gaussian beams

The spatial distribution of two-photon excitation created by crossed focused Gaussian beams is shown. The effective volume calculation for the two-photon interaction of crossed Gaussian beams is presented. The dimensions of cubic and parallelepiped volumes, in which half of the two-photon interaction is localized, are determined. The memory densities of two-photon three-dimensional memory for crossed focused beams and one focused beam are compared.

Three-dimensional coherent transfer function for reflection confocal microscopy in the presence of refractive-index mismatch

The three-dimensional (3-D) coherent transfer function for reflection confocal microscopy of high-numerical-aperture objectives is derived and calculated in the presence of refractive-index mismatch when a laser beam is focused into a medium of refractive index different from its immersion medium. This aberrated coherent transfer function is then used to estimate the readout efficiency of 3-D data bits recorded in a thick medium. It is shown that the readout efficiency of confocal microscopy for 3-D bit data storage is decreased with the focal depth of an objective in a recording medium. However, a high readout efficiency can be maintained if the tube length of a reading objective is linearly altered to compensate for the spherical aberration caused by the refractive-index mismatch.

Use of two-photon excitation for erasable-rewritable three-dimensional bit optical data storage in a photorefractive polymer

We report what is believed to be the first use of a photorefractive polymer in erasable-rewritable three-dimensional bit optical data storage under two-photon excitation. We successfully demonstrate writing, erasing, and rewriting of multilayered information in a photorefractive polymer consisting of 2,5-dimethyl-4-(p-nitrophenylazo)anisole, 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone, 9-ethylcarbazole, and poly(N-vinylcarbazole). A three-dimensional bit density of 5 Gbits/cm(3) is achieved by two-photon absorption under pulsed beam illumination at an infrared wavelength of 800 nm in the recording process. Complete erasing of the recording information is achieved by use of ultraviolet illumination.

Use of continuous-wave illumination for two-photon three-dimensional optical bit data storage in a photobleaching polymer

We show that a continuous-wave laser beam at an infrared wavelength of 800 nm can be used for two-photon three-dimensional bit data storage in a photobleaching polymer. We successfully demonstrate recording and reading of six layers of data bits with a transverse bit separation of 4.3microm and an axial layer separation of 20microm . This result leads to a three-dimensional bit density of approximately 3Gbits/cm(3) .