Reading and Writing of Photochemical Holes Using GaAIAs Diode Lasers

Many investigations have been done on the field of frequency domain optical memories based on photochemical hole burning (PHB). This effect offers an extra dimension for the organization of an optical memory. At cryogenic temperatures several solid state materials such as aggregate color centers in alkali halide crystals exhibit inhomogeneously broadened absorption lines. In such an absorption line permanent narrow holes can be burnt by photochemical processes induced by exposure to intense laser radiation with a wavelength within the inhomogeneously broadened line.