Photochromism of Dithienylethene Derivatives Trapped in Sol-Gel Matrices

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Abstract
Solid-state materials containing photochromic dithienylethene derivatives were prepared by the sol-gel process in the form of thin films of a few μm-thick. The effect of substituents (pyridyl or methoxyphenyl) of the optically active molecules on photochromic properties was investigated. Thicknesses and refractive indices either at 633 nm or 785 nm were determined in the colored and in the discolored state by using the Attenuated Total Reflexion method. Sol-gel films containing methoxphenyl substituted molecules show a large refractive index change, Δn=3.10−3 at 785 nm. This variation is important considering the low doping level (0.7 wt%).