Blends of azobenzene-containing diblock copolymers and molecular glasses for holographic data storage

Abstract

Azobenzene-containing diblock copolymers are a promising material class for holographic data storage. They have many advantages, yet, a problem are their long writing times. Low-molecular-weight glasses containing azobenzene moieties are also photo-addressable and develop holographic gratings much faster. By blending molecular glass formers with diblock copolymers, materials for holographic data storage with distinctly improved properties can be obtained. The writing times of holographic gratings in the blends decrease with increasing content of the molecular glass former; nevertheless, the gratings are still stable.