Photoluminescence Properties of a Molecular Organic Switching System

In alpha-styrylpyrylium trifluoromethanesulfonate (alpha-styrylpyrylium TEMS), the holographic storage mechanism is based on a molecular switching process in the bulk crystalline material. We have studied the stationary and timer resolved optical emission properties of this material with respect to its optical response function and during the molecular switching process. Typical for the emission spectrum of alpha-styrylpyrylium TFMS is its double band structure with two maxima at 560 and 680 nm (quantum yield: 3%). Fluorescence excitation spectra reveal the monomer absorption properties. The monomer fluorescence lifetime has been determined as 684 PS. It has been found that the emission properties of alpha-styrylpyrylium TFMS are sensitive to the switching mechanism, which allows one to use them for monitoring of the storage process.