Azo polymers for reversible optical storage. 2. Poly[4'-[[2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl]ethylamino]-2-chloro-4-nitroazobenzene]

Writing, reading, erasing and rewriting processes are performed using laser beams on a poly[4'-[[2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl]ethylamino]-4-nitroazobenzene] (pDRlA) film. The writing and erasing are statistical processes and the level of optical anisotropy induced depends on the photon flux directed at the sample. The time evolution of the writing process is investigated. A computer simulation of these processes is performed taking into account a relaxation process in which some of the reoriented trans molecules are randomized by thermal motion.