Polymers for optical data storage

As computers become ubiquitous, users continue to require more speed, better graphics, better software and, above all, better memory. If there were only one type of computer memory system then better memory would simply mean more memory. But there are many conflicting demands on memory systems, and computer manufacturers have to compromise on what they can deliver to the customer. Table 9.1 shows the general characteristics of a number of data storage media. 

A typical computer system might have three of four different storage media. For example, a personal computer system might have solid state memory, a floppy disc drive, a hard disc drive and a tape back-up unit. Solid state memory provides the high speeds for computations, the floppy disc is useful for swapping data and software, the hard disc provides fast, bulk storage, and the tape back-up unit is required because the hard disc is sealed in its box and its data is vulnerable to malfunction or operator error. It will be noted from Table 9.1 that optical storage systems seem to combine the best properties of floppy disc, hard disc and 

Solid state Very fast Very fast High Medium Poor 

Hard disc Fast Fast Medium High Poor 

Optical disc Fast Fast Low High Good 

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Hagen, R., Bieringer, X (2001). Photoaddressable polymers for optical data storage. Advanced Materials 13, 1805-1810. 

PHOTOCHROMIC POLYMERS FOR OPTICAL DATA STORAGE AZOBENZENES AND PHOTODIMERS... 

We have prepared multi-component photorefractive polymers for optical data storage applications (8). This photorefractivity is a combination of two functionalities electro-optic effect and photoconductivity. We have achieved holographic diffraction efficiencies up to >30% in our composites. 

V. Srinivasa Rao completed post graduate studies in the subject of Polymer Science in 2004 from the Center of Excellence in Polymer Science, Karntak University, Dharwad, India. In 2005 he joined as a Research Eellow in the Naval Materials Research Laboratory (Defence Research and Development Organization), India, and completed Ph.D work in the area of Liquid Crystalline Polymers for Optical Data Storage at the University of Mumbai. He then joined as a Technical Officer in Central Institute of Plastics Engineering Technology, Lucknow, India. 

Smart polymers for optical data storage CuBr, PMDETA... 

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