Thermochromic Fluorophores and Their NIR Laser Induced Transformation

Abstract

Novel thermochromic fluorophores with high fluorescence efficiencies have been prepared. When these fluorophores are treated with heat they undergo an irreversible change from a colorless low-fluorescent state to a colorless strongly fluorescent state. Beyond this, we demonstrate how the irreversible change of a thermochromic fluorophore can be induced via near-infrared (NIR) laser light and point out distinct advantages of this approach for high-density optical data storage.