US 4,789,965 A · Methods and compositions for recording optical information employing molecular pseudorotation

Abstract

Methods and compositions for use in optically recording information. The present invention includes incorporating solute molecules within an extremely viscous medium. The solute molecules may be chemically bound within the medium or they may be held physically in place. In either case actual rotation of the solute molecules is prevented. The solute molecules are chosen such that they are capable of generalized pseudorotation. That is, the solute molecules or chromophores attached to a polymer chain may be converted from a first form to a second form which differs in orientation without a net chemical transformation into another chemical species and in the absence of actual rotation. In addition, the various forms of the solute molecules can be produced by passing selectively polarized light through the medium. The form of the solute molecules can then be "read" by passing light through the medium and detecting its characteristics as it exits the medium.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A chemical composition which is capable of recording optical information, comprising:

an effective quantity of solute molecules incorporated within a medium, wherein the solute molecules are capable of being selectively oriented, in response to the direction of polarization of polarized light passed through the medium, into at least two configurations through the mechanism of generalized pseudorotation and wherein said medium is sufficiently viscous with respect to the solute molecules to substantially prevent actual rotation of the solute molecules within the medium.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and compositions for recording optical information employing molecular pseudorotation

Life of this patent

Methods and compositions for recording optical information employing molecular pseudorotation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24