Chemical Physics Letters, Vol.381, No.5-6, 572-578, 2003
Quantum-controlled color: chirp- and polarization-sensitive two-photon photochromism of spiropyrans in the solid phase
Phase and polarization control over photochromism. in solid-state polymer materials doped with spiropyran compounds is demonstrated. Photochromism induced in spiropyrans by two-photon absorption of femtosecond pulses is shown to be sensitive to the initial chirp and polarization of these pulses. Enhancement of photochromism achieved by means of chirp and polarization control allows the yield of colored-form spiropyran to be increased by more than an order of magnitude. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.