US4684598A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Enhanced optically sensitive medium using organic charge transfer materials to provide reproducible thermal/optical erasure
Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
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Filing: 1984-11-23
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Granted: 1987-08-04
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Expires: 2004-11-23
Abstract
Abstract An enhanced optically sensitive medium is disclosed which uses an organic charge transfer complex as the switching material. The organic charge transfer complex includes at least one moiety in an oxidized state. An enhancement mechanism is taught which provides a secondary source of neutral molecules of said at least one constituent moiety in the neutral or altered oxidation state. For example, with CuTCNQ used as the switching material, the erasing characteristics can be improved by using a covering dispersion having a matrix polymer interspersed with neutral molecules of TCNQ DEG .
Inventors
- 👤 Richard S. Potember
- 👤 Theodore O. Poehler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:44
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/24; G11B7/241; G11B7/242; G11B7/244; G11B7/245; G11B7/249; G11B7/252; G11B7/254; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S430/00; Y10S430/001; Y10S430/10; Y10S430/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An optically sensitive medium comprising: an organic charge transfer complex having molecules of at least one organic charge transfer material, said at least one organic charge transfer material adapted to switch between at least two states having discernibly different optical characteristics in response to optical energy, and said at least one organic charge transfer material having at least one moiety; and, a layer interspersed with a species of said at least one moiety, and covering at least a portion of said organic charge transfer complex for enhancing erasability of said organic charge transfer complex.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An optically sensitive medium comprising: an organic charge transfer complex having molecules of at least one organic charge transfer material, said at least one organic charge transfer material adapted to switch between at least two states having discernibly different optical characteristics in response to optical energy, and said at least one organic charge transfer material having at least one moiety; and, a layer interspersed with a species of said at least one moiety, and covering at least a portion of said organic charge transfer complex for enhancing erasability of said organic charge transfer complex.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The medium of claim 1, wherein said layer is a polymer dispersion, and said polymer dispersion is further interspersed with a complexing agent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The medium of claim 1, wherein said complex contains molecules of a single organic charge transfer salt composed of a donor moiety and an organic electron acceptor moiety, and wherein said species of said at least one moiety interspersed in said layer is an oxidized species of said organic electron acceptor moiety.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The medium of claim 1, wherein said complex contains molecules of a single organic charge transfer salt composed of a donor moiety and an organic electron acceptor moiety, and wherein said species of said at least one moiety interspersed in said layer is a reduced species of said donor moiety.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The medium of claim 1, wherein said complex contains molecules of at least two organic charge transfer salts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The medium of claim 1, wherein said complex contains molecules of at least one amphoteric charge transfer material having more than one redox state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
An optically senstive medium comprising: a film of an organic charge transfer salt, said organic charge transfer salt adapted to switch between a first and second state, each state having discernably different optical characteristics, said organic charge transfer salt formed from a donor complexed with an acceptor; and, a covering layer having a dispersion interspersed with neutral molecules of said acceptor, and covering at least a portion of said film for enhancing erasability of said film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
An optically senstive medium comprising: a film of an organic charge transfer salt, said organic charge transfer salt adapted to switch between a first and second state, each state having discernably different optical characteristics, said organic charge transfer salt formed from a donor complexed with an acceptor; and, a covering layer having a dispersion interspersed with neutral molecules of said acceptor, and covering at least a portion of said film for enhancing erasability of said film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The medium of claim 7, wherein said dispersion is a polymer matrix interspersed with neutral molecules of said acceptor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The medium of claim 8, wherein said polymer matrix is at least partially transparent to optical energy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medium of claim 7, wherein said dispersion is further interspersed with a complexing agent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The medium of claim 10, wherein said dispersion is a polymer matrix interspersed with neutral molecules of said acceptor and molecules of said complexing agent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The medium of claim 11, wherein said polymer matrix is at least partially transparent to optical energy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
The medium of claim 10, further including a supporting substrate and wherein said optically sensitive medium is a wafer comprising a base layer of said supporting substrate, a center layer of said film of an organic charge transfer salt, and an upper layer of said dispersion interspersed with neutral molecules of said acceptor and said complexing agent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The medium of claim 13, wherein said wafer forms a disc.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The medium of claim 7, wherein said dispersion is further interspersed with neutral species of said donor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The medium of claim 15, wherein said dispersion is a polymer matrix interspersed with neutral molecules of said acceptor, neutral species of said donor and molecules of a complexing agent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
114 words
An optically sensitive medium comprising: an organic charge transfer material, said organic charge transfer material formed from a donor and an organic acceptor as a first state and adapted to switch from the first to a second state in response to optical energy thereby forming a first source of neutral species of the donor and organic acceptor as the second state, each state having different optical characteristics, and also adapted to switch from the second state to the first state in response to thermal energy thereby forming the organic transfer; and a layer covering said charge transfer material to provide a second source of at least one neutral species of donor and organic acceptor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
114 words
An optically sensitive medium comprising: an organic charge transfer material, said organic charge transfer material formed from a donor and an organic acceptor as a first state and adapted to switch from the first to a second state in response to optical energy thereby forming a first source of neutral species of the donor and organic acceptor as the second state, each state having different optical characteristics, and also adapted to switch from the second state to the first state in response to thermal energy thereby forming the organic transfer; and a layer covering said charge transfer material to provide a second source of at least one neutral species of donor and organic acceptor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
93 words
An optically sensitive medium comprising: a polymer matrix; at least one organic charge transfer material dispersed in said matrix, said organic charge transfer material formed from at least one donor and at least one organic acceptor adapted to switch between at least 2 states in response to optical energy thereby forming a first source of at least a different species of each of the donor and the organic acceptor, each state having different optical characteristics; and, a second source of at least one of the different species of donor dispersed in said matrix.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
93 words
An optically sensitive medium comprising: a polymer matrix; at least one organic charge transfer material dispersed in said matrix, said organic charge transfer material formed from at least one donor and at least one organic acceptor adapted to switch between at least 2 states in response to optical energy thereby forming a first source of at least a different species of each of the donor and the organic acceptor, each state having different optical characteristics; and, a second source of at least one of the different species of donor dispersed in said matrix.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The medium of claim 18, wherein said matrix is interspersed with a complexing agent.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The medium of claim 18, wherein said at least one organic charge transfer material is a single organic charge transfer salt.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The medium of claim 18, wherein said at least one organic charge transfer material is a single organic charge transfer salt and wherein said second source is a reduced species of said donor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The medium of claim 18, wherein said at least one organic charge transfer material comprises at least two organic charge transfer salts.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The medium of claim 18, wherein said at least one organic transfer material comprises at least one amphoteric charge transfer material having more than one redox state.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
118 words
An optically sensitive medium comprising: a polymer matrix; particulates of an organic charge transfer salt dispersed in said matrix, said organic charge transfer salt formed from a donor and an organic acceptor as a first state and adapted to switch from the first to a second state in response to optical energy thereby forming a first source of neutral species of the donor and organic acceptor as the second state, each state having different optical characteristics, and also adapted to switch from the second state to the first state in response to thermal energy thereby forming the organic charge transfer salt; and a second source of at least one neutral species of the donor dispersed in said matrix.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
118 words
An optically sensitive medium comprising: a polymer matrix; particulates of an organic charge transfer salt dispersed in said matrix, said organic charge transfer salt formed from a donor and an organic acceptor as a first state and adapted to switch from the first to a second state in response to optical energy thereby forming a first source of neutral species of the donor and organic acceptor as the second state, each state having different optical characteristics, and also adapted to switch from the second state to the first state in response to thermal energy thereby forming the organic charge transfer salt; and a second source of at least one neutral species of the donor dispersed in said matrix.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medium of claim 24, wherein said polymer matrix is interspersed with a complexing agent.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
The medium of claim 24, wherein said polymer matrix having particulates of said organic charge transfer salt is interspersed with neutral molecules of said acceptor and particulates of said donor from said second source and molecules of a complexing agent.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The medium of claim 24 or 26, wherein said particulates of said organic charge transfer salt are microcrystals.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
33 words
The medium of claims 8 or 24, wherein said polymer matrix is selected from the group consiting of: Polycarbonates Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Polyacrylonitrile Polyvinylacetal Poly(methyl-2-cyanocrylate) Poly(4,4'isopropylidine-diphenylcarbonate) (Lexan) Polystyrene Poly(pyromellitimide) (Kaptan) Poly(vinylfluoride) Ethylcellulose Poly(ethylacrylate) Poly(methylacrylate).
Claim 34
Independent Claim
44 words
The medium of claims 10, 13 or 25, wherein said complexing agent is selected from the group consisting of: Acetylacetone and its derivatives Polyethylene oxide (Carbowax) Polypropylene glycol Polymeric quanternary ammonium salts Crown ethers Poly(butyleneglycol) Poly(epichlorohydrin) Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) Dimethyglyoxime (DMG)
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
129 words
An optically sensitive medium comprising: a polymer matrix; at least one organic charge transfer material dispersed in said matrix, said organic charge transfer material formed from at least one donor and at least one organic acceptor as a first state and switching from the first state to a second state in response to optical energy thereby forming a first source of at least a different species of each of the donor and the organic acceptor, each state having different optical characteristics and switching from the second state to the first state in response to thermal energy; a second source of at least one of the different species of organic acceptor dispersed in said matrix; and, wherein said at least one donor is only provided by the charge transfer material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
129 words
An optically sensitive medium comprising: a polymer matrix; at least one organic charge transfer material dispersed in said matrix, said organic charge transfer material formed from at least one donor and at least one organic acceptor as a first state and switching from the first state to a second state in response to optical energy thereby forming a first source of at least a different species of each of the donor and the organic acceptor, each state having different optical characteristics and switching from the second state to the first state in response to thermal energy; a second source of at least one of the different species of organic acceptor dispersed in said matrix; and, wherein said at least one donor is only provided by the charge transfer material.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
129 words
An optically sensitive medium comprising: a polymer matrix; particulates of an organic charge transfer salt dispersed in said matrix, said organic charge transfer salt formed from a donor and an organic acceptor as a first state and switching from the first to a second state in response to optical energy thereby forming a first source of neutral species of the donor and organic acceptor as the second state, each state having different optical characteristics, and also switching from the second state to the first state in response to thermal energy thereby forming the organic charge transfer salt; a second source of at least one neutral species of the organic acceptor dispersed in said matrix; and, wherein said at least one donor is only provided by the charge transfer material.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
129 words
An optically sensitive medium comprising: a polymer matrix; particulates of an organic charge transfer salt dispersed in said matrix, said organic charge transfer salt formed from a donor and an organic acceptor as a first state and switching from the first to a second state in response to optical energy thereby forming a first source of neutral species of the donor and organic acceptor as the second state, each state having different optical characteristics, and also switching from the second state to the first state in response to thermal energy thereby forming the organic charge transfer salt; a second source of at least one neutral species of the organic acceptor dispersed in said matrix; and, wherein said at least one donor is only provided by the charge transfer material.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
21 words
The medium of claims 18, 24, 17, 30 or 31, wherein the matrix is at least partially transparent to optical energy.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
17 words
The medium of claims 18, 24, 17, 30 or 31, wherein the donor is an organic donor.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
21 words
The medium of claims 18, 24, 17, 30 or 31, wherein the donor is at least one of tetrathioethylenes, dithiodiaminoethylenes, dithiodiselenoethylenes.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
35 words
The medium of claims 18, 24, 17, 30 or 31, wherein the donor is at least one of copper, silver, lead, nickel, lithium, sodium, potassium, barium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt, iron, antimony, cesium and magnesium.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
20 words
The medium of claims 18, 24, 17, 30 or 31, wherein the acceptor contains at least one cyanomethylene functional group.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
48 words
The medium of claims 18, 24, 17, 30 or 31, wherein the acceptor is at least one of: ______________________________________
TCNQ(OMe) TCNQ IMe
TCNQ(OMe).sub.2 TCNQI
TCNQ(OMe)(OEt) TCNQ(OMe)(OCH.sub.3).sub.2
TCNQ(OMe)(O--i-Pr) (TCNQ(CN).sub.2
TCNQ(OMe)(O--i-Bu) (TCNQ(Me)
TCNQ(O--i-C.sub.2 H.sub.5)
TCNQ(Et)
TCNQ(OEt)(SMe) TCNQ(i-Pr)
TCNQ Cl TCNQ(i-Pr).sub.2
TCNQ Br TCNQ(i-Pr)
TCNQ ClMe TCNQ(i-Pr).sub.2
TCNQ Br Me
______________________________________
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