Rewritable Optical Memory Through High-Registry Orthogonal Upconversion.

An experimental design, based on a combination of core-shell-structured upconversion nanoparticles and diarylethene photochromic molecules, for achieving rewritable optical memory is reported. This core-shell design enables the nanoparticles to emit two sets of distinct emission bands with ultrahigh spectral purity through laser excitation at 980 and 1532 nm. Importantly, the ultraviolet emission of the nanoparticles under 980 nm irradiation is used to activate the cyclization reaction of diarylethene through CC bond formation, while the green emission from the nanoparticles upon 1532 nm excitation leads to the cleavage of the newly formed CC bond. This pathway offers a convenient and versatile optical method for controlling the process of data writing and erasing with high spatiotemporal resolution.