Photosensitive Polymeric Materials for Two-Photon 3D WORM Optical Data Storage Systems

We report the photochemistry and development of a fluorescence readout-based, nonlinear absorption, three-dimensional optical data storage system. In this system, writing was achieved by acid generation upon two-photon absorption (2PA) of a photoacid generator (PAG; at 710 or 730 nm). Readout was then performed by interrogating two-photon-absorbing dyes, after protonation, at 860 nm. Linear and nonlinear photophysical characterization of 2PA PAGs and acid-sensitive fluorescent dyes demonstrates good spectral resolution between the PAG and protonated 2PA dye and relatively high two-photon absorptivity. Solution spectroscopic studies confirm photoacid generation and dye protonation. Two-photon recording and readout of voxels were demonstrated in five and eight consecutive, crosstalk-free layers within a polymer matrix, generating a data storage capacity of up to 1.8 × 1013 bits/cm3.