R&D: Comment on Reversible 3D Optical Storage and Information Encryption in Photo-Modulated Transparent Glass Medium

Light: Science & Applications has published an article written by Gael Poirier, Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of Alfenas, Campus Poços de Caldas, Poços de Caldas, MG, Brazil, Marcelo Nalin, Sidney J. L. Ribeiro, and Younes Messaddeq, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University UNESP, Araraquara, SP, Brazil.

Abstract: “The development of reversible photochromic materials combining efficient writing/erasing properties, low-cost and environmentally friendly compositions is a breakthrough challenge and a subject of many research works in the last decades. In this perspective, transparent oxide glasses are promising since their production is ensured by a simple melt-quenching technique and a proper laser writing setup is able to give rise to a localized photochromic effect, opening opportunities for 3D optical data storage.“

“In this perspective, Hu et al.¹ recently published an interesting work in which they developed a new rare earth doped tungsten antimony phosphate glass composition. Under 473 nm laser irradiation, this glass exhibits a photochromic property appearing as a blue/dark aspect and related with a strong absorption band in the visible and near infrared range (500–1400 nm). Such photochromic effect could be tailored by both laser power density or laser irradiation time. The authors also demonstrated that 2D or 3D data storage can be achieved on this glass, being data writing ensured by laser irradiation and data reading accessible both by optical absorption or rare earth luminescence intensity measurements. The authors finally highlight that this new photo-modulated glass medium is promising for optoelectronic applications.“