Novel azo dye-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) films as optical data storage media

Azo dye-doped polymer (ADP) systems have been shown to be remarkable photosensitive media for holographic recording and optical computing. In this work we have studied the dynamic holographic capabilities of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) fims doped with five new azo dyes named AZD1-5. The totally reversible trans ⇔ cis photoisomerization induced by exposure of the ADP samples to actinic light allows recording of holograms in the dye-doped polymer matrices, and diffraction efficiencies up to 10% have been attained. These ADP systems can also be used to perform polarization holographic recordings as they present a photoinduced anisotropy called the Weigert effect. Depending on the intensity of the reading beam, the recorded information can be rapidly erased or stored for a posteriori use. The storage time can be as long as 800 s depending on the azo dye employed. These photosensitive materials can be classified as promising holographic media for optical computing and optical mass storage.