Polarization multiplexing holographic optical recording of a new photochromic diarylethene

A new unsymmetrical photochromic diarylethene 1a is synthesized, and the photochromic properties of it are also investigated. The compound exhibits good photochromism with UV/ visible light irradiation. Compound 1a in polymethyl methacrylate ( PMMA ) film changes color upon 313- nm light irradiation from colorless to blue, in which the absorption maximum is observed at 587 nm. Photon- mode polarization multiplexing holographic optical recording is performed successfully using this compound as a recording medium. In the diarylethene 1b/ PMMA film, polarization multiplexing hologram recording and retrieval, and a combination with the angular multiplexing scheme, are demonstrated systematically. The results indicate that recording capacity can be significantly improved with the combined method of polarization and angular multiplexing holographic recording. (C) 2008 Society of Photo- Optical Instrumentation Engineers.