Reversible multiplexing for optical information recording, erasing, and reading-out in photochromic BaMgSiO4:Bi3+ luminescence ceramics

Optical data storage technology has many advantages over the traditional solid-state and magnetic storage technology, such as low cost, multi-dimensional storage, and rewritable capability. Therefore, the optical data storage technology has been in increasing demand for optical storage media. Herein, the photochromic and photoluminescence properties of BaMgSiO4:Bi3+ ceramics were investigated. The BaMgSiO4:Bi3+ ceramics showed reversible photochromism from gray to pink upon alternating the 254 nm ultraviolet light and 532 nm laser irradiation. This is caused by the electron trapping and de-trapping in the oxygen vacancies of the BaMgSiO4:Bi3+ host. This reversible behavior of photochromism was applied to fabricate different patterns on the surface of the BaMgSiO4:Bi3+ ceramics, which exhibited the reversible dual-mode optical information recording and erasing abilities. The photoluminescence reversible modulation of the BaMgSiO4:Bi3+ ceramics was obtained through the photochromic phenomenon. This modification behavior of luminescence could be applied to read-out the recording information in the BaMgSiO4:Bi3+ ceramics. The coloration and bleaching of BaMgSiO4:Bi3+ ceramics were dependent on the time of light stimulation, which facilitated multiplexing encoding. This photoluminescence and photochromism multiplexing of the BaMgSiO4:Bi3+ ceramics enhanced the optical data storage capability.