Electrical functions of photochromic molecules

Recent progress in electrical properties of photochromic molecules is reviewed. A typical application of the properties is current switching based on the changes in ionization potential or carrier mobility induced by the photoisomerization of photochromic molecules. Carrier injection-type molecular memories have also attracted wide interest because they are a promising candidate for organic semiconductor devices in the field of organic electronics. Various new applications are proposed using photo-induced electrical, as well as optical, property changes of photochromic molecules. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.