System and method for a three-dimensional optical switch display device

A system for printing in three dimensions comprising:

• an imaging system comprising:
• a medium comprising an acid-sensitive photoinitiator, a photoacid, monomers, donors, and acceptors, wherein the acceptor has a non-fluorescent state and a fluorescent state, wherein at one wavelength of optical excitation an optical molecular switch molecule has a first state, and at a second state the optical molecular switch molecule fluoresces at a second wavelength of excitation;
• and
• at least a first light source and a second light source into the medium, wherein light emitted by the at least first and second light sources are directed to contact the acid-sensitive photoinitiator, wherein a first wavelength activates the photo acid, and the second wavelength triggers polymerization of the monomers;
• a memory, configured to store a representation of the three-dimensional image;
• and
• a processor, operably coupled to the memory and the first light source and the second light source, wherein the processor is configured to direct the first and the second light source into the medium to convert the acid-sensitive photoinitiator into a fluorescent “on state” by irradiation from the first light source, and when the second light source irradiates the optical molecular switch molecule in the “on state” the acid-sensitive photoinitiator emits light at the specific location in the medium.