摘要：

Optical information can be stored, erased, or overwritten on azo polymer thin films using polarized light. The information is in the form of localized dichroism and birefringence and is read using a low power probe beam. We have investigated this image storage phenomenon on a series of polyacrylates and polymethacrylates containing azo aromatic groups on the side chains. The monomers are obtained from commercially available azo dyes. The polymers are amorphous and have high glass transition temperatures. We present a model for the writing and erasing process and investigate the physical origins of the parameters which influence the properties of the recording medium.

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