Reversible 3D optical data storage and information encryption in photo-modulated transparent glass medium

Abstract

Transparent glass has been identified as a vital medium for three-dimensional (3D) optical information storage and multi-level encryption. However, it has remained a challenge for directly writing 3D patterning inside a transparent glass using semiconductor blue laser instead of high-cost femtosecond laser. Here, we demonstrate that rare earth ions doped transparent glass can be used as 3D optical information storage and data encryption medium based on their reversible transmittance and photoluminescence manipulation. The color of tungsten phosphate glass doped with rare earth ions change reversibly from light yellow to blue upon alternating 473 nm laser illumination and temperature stimulation, resulting in the reversible luminescence modulation. The information data could be repeatedly written and erased in arbitrary 3D space of transparent glass, not only showing the ability of the excellent reproducibility and storage capacity, but also opening opportunities in information security. The present work expands the application fields of luminescent glass, and it is conducive to develop a novel 3D data storage and information encryption media.

Lanthanide-doped heterostructured nanocomposites toward advanced optical anti-counterfeiting and information storage

“…At the macroscopic level, we are able to use the multi-mode luminescence of nanocomposites to store different information. In contrast to current popular laser printing multi-dimensional anti-counterfeiting and information storage technologies 54 , 55 , the advantage of the nanocomposites for information storage is that they are more flexible and require less quality of light source. If nanocomposites are loaded in an orderly manner on a substrate using single-particle printing technology, then a 1 × 1 mm substrate can be loaded with approximately 10 9 nanocomposites, which would be a truly high-capacity optical information storage.…”

Reversible Mn valence state switching in submicron α-Al2O3:Mn by soft X-rays and blue light – a potential pathway towards multilevel optical data storage

“…Hu et al investigated reversible optical data storage in rare earth ion doped transparent glass using laser light (473 nm and 465 nm) and heat stimulation for the write, readout and erase steps. 12 In the present article, we report a reversible valence state switching system comprising of submicron α-Al 2 O 3 doped with Mn 3+ . This system and its variants are a potential candidate for multilevel optical data storage applications using X-rays for the writing step.…”

Comment on “Reversible 3D optical data storage and information encryption in photo-modulated transparent glass medium”

“…However, as authors of references 2 to 8, we would like to clarify and discuss important aspects of the paper by Hu et al 1 .…”

“…In this perspective, Hu et al 1 recently published an interesting work in which they developed a new rare earth doped tungsten antimony phosphate glass composition. Under 473 nm laser irradiation, this glass exhibits a photochromic property appearing as a blue/dark aspect and related with a strong absorption band in the visible and near infrared range (500–1400 nm).…”