Jonathon Frey with Cory Christensen and Ken Singer
Photobleaching of fluorescent dyes in polymer films
Recently, optical data storage has been achieved via photobleaching of a fluorescent dye in co-extruded, multilayer, polymer films. Photobleaching, the decrease in fluorescence by exposure to light, can be caused by a number of different processes, including light-induced chemical reactions and thermal degradation. Although data has successfully been written using this method, the mechanisms contributing to photobleaching are not fully understood. This project will assist in the understanding of the physics of photobleaching in fluorescent dyes by examining the rate of photobleaching under different atmospheres and temperatures. The fluorescence decay under intense laser illumination will be monitored with either an optical microscope or home-built light collection and detection system. Dye/polymer blend films will be exposed to different environments using a cryostat or heating stage. The system can be tested using conventional dyes. Fully understanding the details of photobleaching would allow for optimization of the dyes for optical data storage devices.