Optical recording media with triplet-sensitized isomerization

An optical device comprising a dewarbenzene derivative reactant, a dewarbenzene product, and a triplet sensitizer in a polymeric matrix;

• wherein there are regions of varying concentrations of reactant and product corresponding to an optical pattern of intelligence that may be detected with light;
• wherein said reactant is capable of undergoing isomerization to said product upon triplet excitation, thereby producing said pattern of intelligence;
• wherein said sensitizer is capable of absorbing actinic radiation to cause triplet energy transfer to said reactant and wherein the algebraic sum of the excitation energy of said sensitizer and its reduction potential is at least 0.05 eV less than the oxidation potential of said reactant, and said sensitizer has a triplet energy of at least 45 kcal/mole and an intersystem crossing quantum yield of at least 0.2;
• and said optical device further comprises a triplet cosensitizer with a triplet energy between 45 and 72 kcal/mole present in an amount that absorbs less than 10 percent of the actinic radiation absorbed by said sensitizer and increases the quantum yield of isomerization by a factor of at least 1.57.