Optical and time evolution properties of a photochromic thin film

Optical properties of a photochromic dye, cis-1,2-dicyano-1,2-bis(2,4,5-trimethyl-3-thienyl) ethene, have been investigated. Reversible photochromic process of the dye in solution has been studied, as well as its time evolution properties. Clear photochromism has also been found for the thin films of the dye and the growth process of the thin films has been observed by atomic force microscopy.