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United States Patent | 3,668,663 |
Chandross , et al. | June 6, 1972 |
A new class of optical, switching and memory devices is based on the different refractive indices associated with each of the two states of the reversible photochemical interconversion between dimer and monomer states in a broad class of organic materials. Reversibility is expedited by use of a rigid medium. The active material may be a solution or suspension of the photosensitive species in a transparent matrix or may be a single-crystal form of the photosensitive material itself. The particular chemical systems upon which operation is based are so chosen as to result in a relatively large spacing between absorption peaks associated with each of the two states. This class, in which change of state results in a significant change in the resonant character of the material, is further characterized by strong absorption bands (resulting in reasonably complete reaction), by ready reversibility, by thermal stability in either state at usual ambient temperatures, and by refractive index changes within the visible spectrum which are of sufficient magnitude for holographic and other switching or memory use.
Inventors: | Chandross; Edwin Arthur (Murray Hill, NJ), Fork; Richard Lynn (Holmdel, NJ), Lamola; Angelo Anthony (Warren, NJ), Tomlinson, III; Walter John (Holmdel, NJ) |
Assignee: |
Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
(Murray Hill,
NJ)
|
Appl. No.: | 05/092,430 |
Filed: | November 24, 1970 |
Current U.S. Class: | 365/119 ; 359/241; 365/107; 365/125 |
Current International Class: | G11C 13/04 (20060101); G03C 1/73 (20060101); G11c 011/42 (); G11c 013/04 () |
Field of Search: | 350/160,16P 340/173CC,173CH,173LS |
3568167 | March 1971 | Carson |