Photochemical and Spectroscopic Properties of Naphtacenequinones. Candidates for 3D Optical Memory Devices

One of the most perspective ideas of 3D optical memory devices is two-photon writing and fluorescence reading [1]. There are many criteria of practical application of photochromic materials in optical information storage systems. Photochromic material which is considered as a candidate for such 3D optical memory devices should possess the following properties: high speed of photoreactions, large two-photon cross section; high fluorescence quantum yield of the B form, the relatively low quantum yield of back (B->A) photochromic reaction, etc. The photochemical and thermal stability of both photochromic forms (forms A and B) is necessary condition for these materials to be suitable. The naphtacenequinones are promising objects due to relatively high stability and high speed of phototransformation [2]. We investigated 15 derivatives of naphthacenequiones in toluene and different polymer matrices such as polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate.