Three-dimensional Optical Data Storage Research Articles

Multiphoton‐And SHG‐Active Pyrimidine‐Based Liquid Crystalline Thin Films Toward 3D Optical Data Storage

AbstractAn original asymmetric achiral pyrimidine core molecule, with long carbon chains on one side and a coumarin fragment on the other, is designed. This advanced molecular structure enabled the spontaneous emergence of crystalline and liquid crystalline thin films with strong 2nd harmonic generation (SHG) without any corona polishing process or tedious deposition techniques. Moreover, pin‐pointed multiphoton absorption in the liquid crystalline phase effectively switches off the SHG signal locally and permanently, underlining its interest in 3D data storage. This prototypical material, which can be fully addressed by NLO processes, multiphoton writing, and SHG reading, paves the way for the development of efficient flexible materials for 3D optical data storage.

Self-Assembled Chiral Polymers Exhibiting Amplified Circularly Polarized Electroluminescence.

Circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL) is highly promising in realm of 3D display and optical data storage. However, designing a groundbreaking chiral material with high comprehensive CPEL performance remains a formidable challenge. In this work, a pair of chiral polymers with self-assembled behavior is designed by integrating a chiral BN-moiety into polyfluorene backbone, named R-PBN and S-PBN, respectively. The chiral polymers show narrowband emission centered at 490 nm with full-width half maximum (FWHM) of 29 nm and high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 79 %. After thermal annealing treatment, the chiral polymers undergo self-assembly, exhibiting amplified circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with asymmetry factor (|glum|) of up to 0.11. Moreover, the solution-processed nondoped CP-OLEDs based on the chiral polymers as emitting layers exhibit maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 9.8 %, intense CPEL activities with |gEL| of up to 0.07, and small FWHM of 36 nm, simultaneously. This represents the first case of self-assembled chiral polymers that combines high EQE, large gEL value and narrowband emission.

Self‐Assembled Chiral Polymers Exhibiting Amplified Circularly Polarized Electroluminescence

Circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL) is highly promising in realm of 3D display and optical data storage. However, designing a groundbreaking chiral material with high comprehensive CPEL performance remains a formidable challenge. In this work, a pair of chiral polymers with self‐assembled behavior is designed by integrating a chiral BN‐moiety into polyfluorene backbone, named R‐PBN and S‐PBN, respectively. The chiral polymers show narrowband emission centered at 490 nm with full‐width half maximum (FWHM) of 29 nm and high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 79%. After thermal annealing treatment, the chiral polymers undergo self‐assembly, exhibiting amplified circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with asymmetry factor (|glum|) of up to 0.11. Moreover, the solution‐processed nondoped CP‐OLEDs based on the chiral polymers as emitting layers exhibit maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 9.8%, intense CPEL activities with |gEL| of up to 0.07, and small FWHM of 36 nm, simultaneously. This represents the first case of self‐assembled chiral polymers that combines high EQE, large gEL value and narrowband emission.

Tricolor Upconversion Phosphors of LiYO2:RE3+/Yb3+ (RE = Tm, Ho, Eu) for Metamerism Anti‐Counterfeiting and 3D Volumetric Display

AbstractThe development of blue/green/red tricolor upconversion (UC) phosphors under invisible light irradiation has attracted significant interest in emerging applications such as anti‐counterfeiting, three‐dimensional (3D) optical data storage, and solid‐state 3D displays. In this study, a series of LiYO2:RE3+,Yb3+ (RE = Tm, Ho, Eu) phosphors are successfully prepared via first precipitation process followed by calcination, and completely optimized for efficient tricolor UC luminescence with 980 nm laser excitation. Mechanisms involving two‐ or three‐photon absorption processes and low‐phonon‐energy‐suppressed multi‐phonon relaxation have been proposed for Ho3+(Eu3+)/Yb3+ and Tm3+/Yb3+ codoping, respectively. In addition, the RE3+ (Yb3+) concentration‐induced phase transition of the LiYO2 host is discussed for interesting possibilities in spectral regulation. Based on the broad color gamut achieved by the tricolor UC phosphor mixture, homochromatic and polychromatic metamerisms are experimentally fabricated via screen printing for high‐level anti‐counterfeiting and information security. Moreover, for a proof‐of‐concept demonstration, prototypes of 3D optical data storage and volumetric displays are constructed by embedding tricolor UC mixtures and their 3D printed patterns in polydimethylsiloxane. It is believed that the continuous exploration of tricolor UC under invisible light excitation for metamerism anti‐counterfeiting and 3D displays can promote the development of high‐level information security and advanced volumetric display technologies.

Thermochromic VO[formula omitted] thin film from electron beam evaporated V[formula omitted]O[formula omitted]/Ni/V[formula omitted]O[formula omitted] and V[formula omitted]O[formula omitted]/Co/V[formula omitted]O[formula omitted] multilayer stack system

The oxygen–vanadium system presents different equilibrium phases amongst which monoclinic and tetragonal forms of VO2 exist below and above the phase transition temperature of 68 °C. The structure can be explained by pure Mott phase transition with Peierls electron-lattice distortion giving ultrafast transformation of the semiconducting monoclinic VO2 to metallic rutile structure. Hence, practical applications in technology can be explored such as; switching devices, thermal relays and energy management, sensors and actuators, electrochromic and photochromic memories. In this study, VO2 thermochromic thin films were deposited on a quartz glass substrate by electron beam evaporation technique in ultrahigh vacuum at room temperature using sandwich structured V2O5/metal (Ni, Co)/V2O5 multilayer target followed by post-annealing at 500 °C under vacuum. The morphology and crystal structure were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Ultraviolet/Visible/Near Infrared spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy analyses. The sandwich structure effectively regulates the stoichiometry and polymorphs of the material. It was observed that the polymorph of the films switch from VO2 (B) to VO2 (M) when the Ni and Co middle layer reached 7 nm and 10 nm respectively. For the aforementioned thicknesses of the Ni and Co layers, the V2O5/Ni/V2O5 and V2O5/Co/V2O5 multilayers showed thermochromic properties. For V2O5/Ni (7 nm)/V2O5 and V2O5/Co (10 nm)/V2O5 multilayer films, the temperature-dependent spectral transmission measurements show the change in optical range of ∼ 65% and ∼ 43% respectively after the phase transition at wavelength 2500 nm. Transmission measurements of VO2 thin films, were determined at temperatures below and above the phase transition temperature in both the visible and the near-infrared ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum. The temperature-dependent optical transmittance measurement for V2O5/Co (10 nm)/V2O5 multilayer films shows that the multilayer exhibits thermochromic properties and has higher phase transition temperature.

Generation of 3D quasi-spherical multi-focus arrays and optical rings using orthogonally superimposed dipole antenna arrays

This paper proposes a novel method to generate a three-dimensional (3D) quasi-spherical focal point with high longitudinal and transverse resolution in a 4Pi focusing system based on the radiation pattern of the orthogonally superimposed dipole antenna. In this paper, we present generated 3D quasi-spherical multi-focus arrays that are controllable and uniformly distributed and optical rings from the radiation patterns of antenna arrays in different configurations. The results showed that the generated focal point is smaller longitudinally (0.31λ) than transversely (0.41λ). This focal point has the smallest volume (∼0.0273λ 3) found. Moreover, it is highly homogeneous and has a small side lobe. The polarization at the center of the focal point is purely circular. The resulting 3D focal fields can be easily tailored by adjusting the modulation parameters of the orthogonally superimposed dipole arrays. Manipulating 3D optical focal fields with pre-defined characteristics of quasi-spherical focal points has a high degree of freedom. Many potential applications exist in arbitrarily oriented particle capture and guidance, micromanipulation, optical capture, and 3D optical data storage.

Unlocking Efficient High‐Order Multiphoton‐Excited Fluorescence of Metal‐Organic Framework via Octupolar Module In Situ Formation

AbstractEngineering high‐order multiphoton excited fluorescent (H‐MPEF) materials is of significant importance for sensing, 3D optical data storage and bioimaging. However, it remains a challenging endeavor due to a lack of appropriate construction strategies. This study demonstrates that incorporating octupolar modules within metal‐organic framework (MOF) offers new possibilities for the design of highly attractive H‐MPEF materials. Constructed from a typical MOF (UiO(bpdc)), the in situ formation of multibranched octupolar cyclometallated iridium(III) modules via post‐ligand coordination modification endowed the framework with enlarged static hyperpolarizabilities, an extended conjugated system, and enhanced charge transfer, ultimately unlocking its second near‐infrared (NIR‐II, 1000–1700 nm) light activated H‐MPEF performance including three‐ and four‐photon activity. Moreover, these exciting features, combined with subsequent orotic acid‐capping, enabled its application in cancer cell‐specific targeting oncotherapy using tissue‐penetrating NIR‐II light. This finding highlights the vital role of octupoles in H‐MPEF performance and sets a benchmark for unlocking the multiphoton activity of MOFs at the molecular level for deep‐seated tumor fluorescence imaging and therapy.

Multicolor Patterning Inside a Metal‐Organic Framework

AbstractThree‐dimensional (3D) patterning of fluorescent structures in metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) is useful for fabricating MOF‐based devices for sensing and data storage. This work creates 3D multicolor patterns in an MOF crystal by sequentially printing different substructures with different dye molecules incorporated. Printed multicolor 3D arrays inside MOF crystal are used for 3D optical data storage. Each color dot can represent four‐digit information 0, 1, 2, 3 as compared to the 0,1 by a bit, using three colors plus the blank to convey the information. Through the combination of different initiator molecules of different emission colors, the data storage density is expected to increase further.

Two-photon absorption of FAPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals

Perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) with high two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-section are of great interest due to their potential applications in three-dimensional optical data storage and multiphoton fluorescence microscopy. Among various perovskite materials, FAPbBr3 NCs show a better development prospect due to their excellent stability. However, there are few reports on their nonlinear optical properties. In this work, the nonlinear optical behavior of FAPbBr3 NCs is studied. The methods of multiphoton absorption photoluminescence saturation and open aperture Z-scan technique were applied to determine the TPA cross-section of FAPbBr3 NCs, which was around 2.76 × 10−45 cm4⋅s⋅photon−1 at 800 nm. In addition, temperature-dependent photoluminescence induced by TPA was investigated, and the small longitudinal optical phonon energy and electron–phonon coupling strength was obtained, which confirm the weak Pb–Br interaction. Meanwhile, it is found that the exciton binding energy in FAPbBr3 NCs was 69.668 meV, which may be ascribed to the strong hydrogen bond interaction. It is expected that our findings will promote the application of FAPbBr3 NCs in optoelectronic devices.

Volumetric memory network for interactive medical image segmentation.

Despite recent progress of automatic medical image segmentation techniques, fully automatic results usually fail to meet clinically acceptable accuracy, thus typically require further refinement. To this end, we propose a novel Volumetric Memory Network, dubbed as VMN, to enable segmentation of 3D medical images in an interactive manner. Provided by user hints on an arbitrary slice, a 2D interaction network is firstly employed to produce an initial 2D segmentation for the chosen slice. Then, the VMN propagates the initial segmentation mask bidirectionally to all slices of the entire volume. Subsequent refinement based on additional user guidance on other slices can be incorporated in the same manner. To facilitate smooth human-in-the-loop segmentation, a quality assessment module is introduced to suggest the next slice for interaction based on the segmentation quality of each slice produced in the previous round. Our VMN demonstrates two distinctive features: First, the memory-augmented network design offers our model the ability to quickly encode past segmentation information, which will be retrieved later for the segmentation of other slices; Second, the quality assessment module enables the model to directly estimate the quality of each segmentation prediction, which allows for an active learning paradigm where users preferentially label the lowest-quality slice for multi-round refinement. The proposed network leads to a robust interactive segmentation engine, which can generalize well to various types of user annotations (e.g., scribble, bounding box, extreme clicking). Extensive experiments have been conducted on three public medical image segmentation datasets (i.e., MSD, KiTS19, CVC-ClinicDB), and the results clearly confirm the superiority of our approach in comparison with state-of-the-art segmentation models. The code is made publicly available at https://github.com/0liliulei/Mem3D.

Higher-Order Multiphoton Absorption Upconversion Lasing Based on ZnO/ZnMgO Multiple Quantum Wells.

In the progress of nonlinear optics, multiphoton absorption (MPA) upconversion lasing enables many vital applications in bioimaging, three-dimensional optical data storage, and photodynamic therapy. Here, efficient four-photon absorption upconversion lasing from the ZnO/ZnMgO multiple quantum wells (MQWs) at room temperature is realized. Moreover, the MPA upconversion lasing and third-harmonic generation peak generated in the MQWs under the excitation of a femtosecond (fs) laser pulse were observed concurrently, and the essential differences between each other were studied comprehensively. Compared with the ZnO film, the upconversion lasing peak of the ZnO/ZnMgO MQWs exhibits a clear blue shift. In addition, the four-photon absorption upconversion photoluminescence (PL) intensity was enhanced in the MQWs/Au nanoparticles (NPs) by the metal-localized surface plasmons (LSPs). The work paves the way for short-wavelength lasers by taking advantage of the high stability and large exciton binding energy of the MQWs’ structures.

A 3D controllable diffraction‐limited spot array generated by means of a spaced‐dipole array

The creation of an array of three-dimensional (3D) multifocal spots in the focal region has attracted interest due to potential applications in parallel or simultaneous process areas. Based on the theory of pattern synthesis of antenna array and the electromagnetic time reversal technique, an optimisation-free approach is reported to construct a 3D controllable diffraction-limited spot array in the focal volume of a 4pi focussing system formed by two high-numerical-aperture (NA) objectives. The proposed method can be implemented readily by inversely focussing the field radiated from a virtual spaced-dipole antenna array mounted at the focus of the 4pi configuration. By solving the inverse problem, the required illumination in the pupil plane for producing the 3D spot array can be found. It is demonstrated that the 3D diffraction-limited focal spot array owns the properties of controllable polarisation, scheduled number, tunable location, and adjustable interval. This array may find applications in 3D simultaneous optical manipulation and trapping, 3D parallel fabrication, 3D optical data storage, and so on.

Reversible 3D optical data storage and information encryption in photo-modulated transparent glass medium

Transparent glass has been identified as a vital medium for three-dimensional (3D) optical information storage and multi-level encryption. However, it has remained a challenge for directly writing 3D patterning inside a transparent glass using semiconductor blue laser instead of high-cost femtosecond laser. Here, we demonstrate that rare earth ions doped transparent glass can be used as 3D optical information storage and data encryption medium based on their reversible transmittance and photoluminescence manipulation. The color of tungsten phosphate glass doped with rare earth ions change reversibly from light yellow to blue upon alternating 473 nm laser illumination and temperature stimulation, resulting in the reversible luminescence modulation. The information data could be repeatedly written and erased in arbitrary 3D space of transparent glass, not only showing the ability of the excellent reproducibility and storage capacity, but also opening opportunities in information security. The present work expands the application fields of luminescent glass, and it is conducive to develop a novel 3D data storage and information encryption media.

Ultra-high capacity for three-dimensional optical data storage inside transparent fluorescent tape: erratum.

In Opt. Lett.45, 1535 (2020)OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.387278, there was an error regarding the corresponding author assignment. That error is corrected here.

Ultra-high capacity for three-dimensional optical data storage inside transparent fluorescent tape.

In this Letter, we show an ultralarge capacity for three-dimensional optical data storage inside transparent fluorescent tape using the two-photon absorption photo-bleaching method. We can obtain transparent fluorescent tape by means of the simple dip method. We successfully demonstrate recording and reading of six layers of binary data bits with lateral separation of 2 µm and longitudinal layer separation of 3 µm. Thus, this result leads to a storage density of approximately ${80}\;{{\rm Gbits/cm}^3}$80Gbits/cm3. Therefore, we can realize authentic ultrahigh capacity optical data storage using long transparent fluorescent tape in the future, like magnetic tape, and fundamentally solve the data explosion disaster.

High-security-level multi-dimensional optical storage medium: nanostructured glass embedded with LiGa5O8: Mn2+ with photostimulated luminescence

The launch of the big data era puts forward challenges for information preservation technology, both in storage capacity and security. Herein, a brand new optical storage medium, transparent glass ceramic (TGC) embedded with photostimulated LiGa5O8: Mn2+ nanocrystals, capable of achieving bit-by-bit optical data write-in and read-out in a photon trapping/detrapping mode, is developed. The highly ordered nanostructure enables light–matter interaction with high encoding/decoding resolution and low bit error rate. Importantly, going beyond traditional 2D optical storage, the high transparency of the studied bulk medium makes 3D volumetric optical data storage (ODS) possible, which brings about the merits of expanded storage capacity and improved information security. Demonstration application confirmed the erasable–rewritable 3D storage of binary data and display items in TGC with intensity/wavelength multiplexing. The present work highlights a great leap in photostimulated material for ODS application and hopefully stimulates the development of new multi-dimensional ODS media.

Optical tape for high capacity three-dimensional optical data storage

In this Letter, a new approach of optical tape for high capacity multilayer data storage is proposed. We show that a length of 5 cm and width of 2 cm of soft and transparent optical tape can be used for two-photon three-dimensional bit data storage. We successfully demonstrate writing and reading of six layers of data storage with a transverse bit separation of 2 μm and an axial separation of 2.5 μm in a tetraphenylethylene-doped photobleaching polymer. The fluorescence intensity is insensitive to the storage depth of the photopolymer matrix. Thus, the optical tape that we put forward in the experiment can help people realize true large data storage in the future, like magnetic tape. This method significantly paves a novel way for solving big data storage problems.

Femtosecond laser micro-patterning of optical properties and functionalities in novel photosensitive silver-containing fluorophosphate glasses

Silver-containing glasses are promising candidates for photonic applications, due to the potentiality of spectroscopic properties of silver nanoclusters (NC's) and/or silver metallic nanoparticles. In this framework, silver-containing fluorophosphate glasses are candidates with a strong potential. Indeed, combined with femtosecond laser irradiation, silver NC's may be tailored in three-dimensional fluorescent micro-structures, whose spectroscopic properties have been investigated, revealing the creation of silver NC's but also of NP's during laser irradiation in the studied fluorophosphate glass. Additionally, the photo-inscription of silver NC's is correlatively accompanied by a positive index change, which has led to the demonstration of optical waveguiding behavior. Finally, the management of the reservoir of available silvers for laser inscription is investigated. Unlike previous observations made in standard oxide phosphate glasses, the considered silver-containing fluorophosphate glass exhibes an intriguing ability to be re-written when subjected to successive overlapping laser irradiations. Upon the optimization of compositions with tailored photo-sensitivity, the re-writable ability of fluorophosphate glasses paves the way to the design of advanced photonic devices such as photonic optical circuits, evanescent sensors or 3D high-density optical data storage.

Reversible upconversion switching for Ho/Yb codoped (K,Na)NbO3 ceramics with excellent luminescence readout capability

AbstractLuminescent readout capability for photochromic materials plays a critical role in 3D optical data storage applications, especially for inorganic photochromic materials in the solid‐state form. In our previous studies, we found that the luminescent readout capability can be improved using two or multiple‐photon excited luminescent mode (upconversion), which can effectively decrease the destruction degree of the excitation energies to the stored information during the luminescent “reading” process. However, the luminescent readout performance is unsatisfactory owing to the absence of nondestructive luminescence readout capability. Herein, we report a new solid‐state photochromic material with excellent upconversion readout capability: Ho3+/Yb3+ codoped (K,Na)NbO3. Upon 407 nm light irradiation, the luminescent switching contrast (ΔRt) is up to 78%. Particularly, the materials almost have no any re‐absorption to 980 nm light, exhibiting extremely low destruction to information recording points. The luminescent readout intensity retains 96% after constant 980 nm irradiation for 4 minutes at a high pumping power of 1W, which is superior to our previously reported results (Er/Yb codoped Bi2.5Na0.5Nb2O9 materials). This work would help to further develop new inorganic photochromic materials with high performance to satisfy the requirements for optical storage devices.

Asymptotic waves in viscoanelastic media with memory by the double-scale method

In this paper asymptotic dissipative waves in viscoanelastic media with shape and volumetric memory, previously studied by the author in a more classical way, are studied from the point of view of the double-scale method. Then, a physical interpretation is given of a new (fast) variable ξ, related to the family of hypersurfaces S , across which the solutions or/and some of their derivatives vary steeply, whereas their variation is slow along S and related to the old variables x α (called slow variables). The double-scale method is sketched. The thermodynamical model governing in the three-dimensional case the motion of the rheological media under consideration is presented and many results regarding the propagation of a particular solution into a uniform unperturbed state and the approximation of the first order of the wave front of this solution are given in full detail and reviewed by the double-scale method. Other novel results are worked out. The thermodynamic models for viscoanelastic media with memory are applied in rheology and in several technological sectors.