Optical data storage media and methods for using the same

1. An optical data storage medium comprising:

a polymer matrix;

a reactant capable of undergoing a change upon triplet excitation, thereby causing a refractive index change; and

a non-linear sensitizer capable of absorbing actinic radiation to cause upper triplet energy transfer to said reactant;

wherein the refractive index change capacity of the medium is at least about 0.1; and

wherein the reactant comprises polyvinyl chlorocinnamate, polyvinyl methoxycinnamate, or a combination thereof.

2. The optical data storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the reactant comprises polyvinyl 4-chlorocinnamate, polyvinyl 3-chlorocinnamate, polyvinyl 2-chlorocinnamate, polyvinyl 4-methoxycinnamate, polyvinyl 3-methoxycinnamate, polyvinyl 2-methoxycinnamate, or a combination thereof.

3. The optical data storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the medium is capable of storing microholographic data.

4. The optical data storage medium of claim 1 , further comprising a mediator capable of transferring energy between the non-linear sensitizer and the reactant.

5. The optical data storage medium of claim 4 , wherein the mediator comprises acetophenone, dimethylphthalate, benzophenone, 9H-fluorene, biphenyl, phenanthrene, 1-napthonitrile, or combinations thereof.

6. The optical data storage medium of claim 4 , wherein the mediator is benzophenone.

7. The optical data storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the non-linear sensitizer comprises a sequential two-photon absorption process by a reverse saturable absorber.

8. The optical data storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the non-linear sensitizer comprises a phthalocyanine dye, a subphthalocyanine dye, or an alkynyl platinum dye.

9. The optical data storage medium of claim 1 , further comprising a photostabilizer.

10. The optical data storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the photostabilizer comprises bisdithiobenzil nickel.

11. The optical data storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the polymer matrix comprises polyvinylalcohol, poly(alkyl methacrylates), poly(alkyl acrylates), polystyrenes, polycarbonates, polyacrylates, poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), or combinations thereof.

12. The optical data storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the reactant and non-linear sensitizer are distributed substantially homogenously throughout the polymer matrix.

13. A method for optical data storage comprising:

providing an optical data storage medium comprising a polymer matrix, a reactant capable of undergoing a change upon triplet excitation, thereby causing a refractive index change and a non-linear sensitizer capable of absorbing actinic radiation to cause upper triplet energy transfer to said reactant, wherein the refractive index change capacity of the medium is at least about 0.1; and

recording a microhologram in said optical data storage medium;

wherein the reactant comprises a cinnamate derivative selected from polyvinyl chlorocinnamate, polyvinyl methoxycinnamate, or a combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the reactant comprises polyvinyl 4-chlorocinnamate, polyvinyl 3-chlorocinnamate, polyvinyl 2-chlorocinnamate, polyvinyl 4-methoxycinnamate, polyvinyl 3-methoxycinnamate, polyvinyl 2-methoxycinnamate, or a combination thereof.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the optical data storage medium further comprises a mediator capable of transferring energy between the non-linear sensitizer and the reactant.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the mediator comprises acetophenone, dimethylphthalate, benzophenone, 9H-fluorene, biphenyl, phenanthrene, 1-napthonitrile, or combinations thereof.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the non-linear sensitizer comprises a sequential two-photon absorption process by a reverse saturable absorber.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the non-linear sensitizer comprises a phthalocyanine dye, a subphthalocyanine dye, or an alkynyl platinum dye.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the optical data storage medium further comprises a photostabilizer.

20. The method of claim 13 , wherein the polymer matrix comprises polyvinylalcohol, poly(alkyl methacrylates), poly(alkyl acrylates), polystyrenes, polycarbonates, polyacrylates, poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), or combinations thereof.