Abstract: Optical information media containing a metal material layer and a carbon material layer are disclosed. The layering of the metal material layer and the carbon material layer are designed to reduce or eliminate problems associated with oxidation and berm formation during writing of data to the media.

Abstract: Optical information media containing an ultraviolet protection layer are described. The protection layer will reduce or eliminate damage to the media's data layer and substrate.

Abstract: An optical recording material for use in an optical recording layer of an optical recording medium comprising the optical recording layer provided on a substrate, the optical recording material comprising a cyanine compound represented by general formula (I): wherein rings A and B each represent a substituted or unsubstituted benzene or naphthalene ring; X represents O, S, Se, CR3R4 or NY; one of R1 and R2 represents a specific group of formula (II) or (III), with the other representing a C1 to C30 organic group; R3 and R4 each represent a C1 to C30 organic group; Y, Y1, and Y2 each represent a hydrogen atom or a C1 to C30 organic group; Z represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a cyano group; Anm? represents an m-valent anion; m represents an integer of 1 or 2; and p represents a coefficient maintaining charge neutrality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new solvent composition useful in the process of manufacturing an optical recording medium. The invention provides a new liquid composition comprising from 0.1 to 20% by weight of a dye having a solid state absorption band maximum in the spectral region from 300 to 800 nm, from 0.5 to 99.9% by weight of a compound of formula (I), wherein R1 to R8 are H, CH3 or C2H5, with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms in R1 to R8 is 0, 1 or 2, and optionally from 0 to 99.4% by weight of one or more further components, all based on the weight of the solution. The instant solvent composition enables to manufacture an optical recording medium of a single recording layer type capable of recording and playing a large volume of information using commercially available compact disc recorders and players and of superior performance in an amazing wide range of drive speeds.

Abstract: Substrates, coatings and methods for marking substrates using the coatings. The substrate contains a coating of encapsulated marking materials. Capsules of the encapsulated marking materials are designed to preferentially absorb a predetermined wavelength of light or range of wavelengths of light. The capsules contain color chemistry capable of activation by the predetermined wavelength of light or range of wavelengths of light for the generation of a color response. By utilizing capsules of differing color chemistries, such substrates are capable of multi-color image generation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical recording medium comprising a visible information recording layer on a support. The visible information recording layer comprises a given dye. The optical recording medium may further comprise a recording layer capable of recording and/or reproducing information by irradiation of a laser beam. The visible information is recorded by using the same laser bean as that used in recording information on the recording layer.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to optical storage devices, such as DVDs and CDs, on which compositions containing dyes are disposed so as to facilitate limited or selective use of at least a portion of the content of the optical storage devices. The invention also relates to methods of making limited-use content optical storage devices.

Abstract: A recording layer including a novel organic dye compound (I) for a high density optical recording medium is provided. The organic dye compound (I) has the following general chemical structural formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 each independently represent H, alkyl, halide, nitro, benzyl group or substituted benzyl group. The organic dye compound (I) exhibits a maximum absorbance at a wavelength range of 400-550 nm.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided which has excellent jitter characteristics and satisfactory recording/reproducing characteristics and is capable of extremely high-density recording. The optical recording medium 20 comprises a substrate 21 having a guide groove and the following layers formed on the substrate 21 in the following order: a layer 23 having a light-reflecting function, a recording layer 22 containing a specific porphyrin compound as a main component, and a cover layer 24 capable of transmitting a recording/reproducing light entering the recording layer 22, wherein when a portion of the guide groove at a side far from a surface where a recording/reproducing light beam enters the cover layer 24, is represented as a recording groove portion, then a recording pit portion formed in the recording groove portion, has a higher reflective optical intensity than the recording groove portion in an unrecorded state.

Abstract: An optical recording medium, comprising a dye recording layer, wherein a recording mark portion is formed at the dye recording layer by use of a laser light having a wavelength of 640 nm to 680 nm, and a reflectance after recording with respect to the laser light at the recording mark portion is increased compared to a reflectance before recording.

Abstract: A silver alloy reflective film for optical information storage media, which can maintain superior environmental resistance, such as high hygrothermal resistance and high light stability, over the long term even when the metal reflective film is in direct contact with a resin layer. An optical information storage medium includes the reflective film and a sputtering target deposits the reflective film. The silver alloy reflective film includes one or more specific elements selected from Pr, Ho, Yb, Sm, Er, Tm, and Tb, to suppress deterioration occurring when the silver alloy reflective film is in direct contact with a resin layer, where silver in the reflective film migrates and aggregates into the adjacent resin layer.

Abstract: The invention provides an azo metal chelate dye suitable for use in a recording layer of an optical recording medium capable of high-speed recording or an optical recording medium having plural recording layers, and an optical recording medium.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to an optical information recording medium comprising a recording layer on a surface of a support, wherein the surface of the support has pregrooves with a track pitch ranging from 50 to 500 nm, the recording layer comprises an azo metal complex dye in the form of a complex of at least one azo dye denoted by general formula (1) and at least one metal ion: wherein, in general formula (1), Q1 denotes an atom group forming a ring with two adjacent carbon atoms and a carbon atom bonded to —N?N-group, G1 denotes a heterocyclic group or carbocyclic group, and R1 denotes an alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, aryl group, or heterocyclic group.

Abstract: The azo-metal chelate dye to which the present invention is applied is a compound formed as follows: for example, 1,3,4-thiadiazole ring is selected as the diazo component; the diazo component is combined with a coupler component having condensed rings including a fluorine-substituted alkylsulfonylamino group and an amino group, to form an azo dye compound; and the azo dye compound forms chelate bonds with at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Cu and Pd. Here, two absorption bands (OD1 and OD2) are seen in the absorption spectrum, which is measured in a range of 400 to 800 nm wavelengths. The azo-metal chelate dye is characterized in that the optical density ratio (OD2/OD1) of the two absorption bands is greater than 1.25. By using this azo-metal chelate dye, an optical recording medium capable of high-speed recording is provided.

Abstract: Provided are a two-photon-absorbing recording medium allowing recording and reproduction of a large volume of information, a two-photon-absorbing recording/reproducing method by using the same, and a two-photon-absorbing recording/reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to an optical information recording medium comprising a recording layer on a surface of a support, wherein the recording layer comprises at least one azo metal complex dye that is a complex of at least one azo dye and at least one metal ion, and the azo metal complex dye comprises equal to or more than four bonds, each of the bonds being formed between one azo dye molecule and one metal ion.

Abstract: There is provided an optical recording medium having, on a substrate, a visible information recording layer including a dye compound represented by Formula (1). In Formula (1), Ra1, Ra2, Ra3, Rb1, Rb2 and Rb3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, or a monovalent substituent (Ra2 and Ra3 may bonded to each other to form a 5-membered to 7-membered heterocyclic ring), A represents a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring group, and n represents 0, 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprises a laminate of at least two recording layers; each of the recording layers contains a metal complex dye and an organic dye in a predetermined concentration; when the recording layers comprise a first recording layer and a second recording layer in order from a light entrance side, the first recording layer contains 20 to 50 parts by weight of the metal complex dye where a total amount of the metal complex dye and the organic dye is 100 parts by weight, and the second recording layer contains 20 to 100 parts by weight of the metal complex dye where a total amount of the metal complex dye and the organic dye is 100 parts by weight. The optical recording medium is provided as one with a satisfactorily excellent initial error rate and a satisfactorily excellent error rate after a light resistance test, in each of the recording layers.

Abstract: Ternary optical data storage method and apparatus for Write Once Read Many Times (WORM) optical data storage with two-photon fluorescent writing and readout. The data storage capacity is limited by the optical resolution of a system. In CD/DVD systems, an increase in the aerial data density has been primarily achieved by decreasing the bit dimension. However, the size of the optical spot (bit) is restricted by limitations imposed by the diffraction of light (Rayleigh criterion). Therefore, technologies that can effectively create and detect spot sizes beyond the diffraction limit (sub-Rayleigh) hold promise to achieving high-density optical storage.

Abstract: An information recording medium comprises a substrate, a second recording layer, a second light transmitting layer, a first recording layer for recording different information from that to be recorded in the second recording layer, and a first light transmitting layer. The second recording layer is formed with a continuous second microscopic pattern of grooves. The first recording layer is formed with a continuous first microscopic pattern of grooves that is different from the second microscopic pattern. Both sidewalls of raised portions of the first and second microscopic patterns are formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other. Auxiliary information and a reference clock is recorded on these sidewalls alternately and continuously.

Abstract: A bis(indolestyryl) compound. The bis(indolestyryl) compound has formula (I): wherein A and B comprise benzene, naphthalene, or heterocyclic ring containing O, S, or N, R1 and R1? are H, halogen, C1-5 alkyl, nitro, ester, carboxyl, sulfo, sulfonamide, amide, sulfo ester, C1-3 alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, cyano, C1-6 alkylsulfonyl, or C2-7 alkoxy carbonyl, R2, R2?, R3, and R3? comprise H, C1-6 alkyl, C6-18 aryl, C2-6 alkenyl, C3-6 cycloalkenyl, or C3-6 cycloalkyl, R4 is H, C1-5 alkyl, hydroxyl, halogen, or alkoxy, R5 and R5? comprise H, halogen, C1-5 alkyl, nitro, C1-3 alkoxy, amino, cyano, C1-6 alkylsulfonyl, or C2-7 alkoxy carbonyl, W comprises oxygen, sulfur, selenium, —NR, or —C(CH3)2, n is 1˜18 and Z1 and Z2 are different and comprise an anion or an anionic organometallic complex with +1 or +2 valence, wherein R bonded to nitrogen is C1-4 alkyl.

Abstract: A bisstyryl compound. The bisstyryl compound has formula (I): wherein Z1 and Z2 are benzene, naphthalene, or heterocyclic ring, R1 is H, C1-5 alkyl, hydroxyl, halogen atoms, or alkoxy, R2 is H, halogen atoms, C1-5 alkyl, nitro, ester, carboxyl, sulfo, sulfonamide, sulfuric ester, amide, C1-3 alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, cyano, C1-6 alkylsulfonyl, or C2-7 alkoxy carbonyl, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are H, halogen atoms, alkyl, aralkyl, or heterocyclic ring containing O, S, or N, or R3 and R4 are joined to a nitrogen atom or R5 and R6 are joined together to form a ring, R7 and R8 are H or alkyl, W is nitrogen with or without Z1 and Z2 or aromatic group without Z1 and Z2, Y is carbon, oxygen, sulfur, selenium, —NR, or —C(CH3)2, m is 1-3, n is 1-18, and X1 and X2 are anionic groups or anionic organometallic complexes.

Abstract: Provided is a simultaneous two-photon absorption three-dimensional optical recording medium for recording three-dimensionally record pits in the recording medium by simultaneous two-photon absorption and reading these recorded record pits, which has a multilayer structure prepared by laminating recording layers and intermediate layers, wherein information is recorded on the recording layers by simultaneous two-photon absorption, the intermediate layers do not change by a recording light, and sensitivities of a part of or all of the recording layers are different.

Abstract: At least two recording layers are laminated, a dye in each of the recording layers contains predetermined concentrations of a metal complex dye and an organic dye, the recording layers are referred to as first and second recording layers successively from the light entrance surface side, the first recording layer contains 60 to 100 parts by weight of a metal complex dye where the total amount of the metal complex dye and organic dye is 100 parts by weight, and the second recording layer contains 10 to 80 parts by weight of a metal complex dye where the total amount of the metal complex dye and organic dye is 100 parts by weight. A recording medium is provided, in which recording is possible in the first and second recording layers by recording powers equivalent to each other while the initial error rate after a high-temperature storage test is sufficiently low in each recording layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical recording medium comprising a visible information recording layer comprising a dye denoted by the following general formula (I) on a support. In general formula (I), A denotes a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, substituted aliphatic group, or substituted or unsubstituted carbon ring group, and B denotes a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group. The optical recording medium may further comprise a recording layer capable of recording and/or reproducing information by irradiation of a laser beam. The present invention further relates to a method of recording visible information on the visible information recording layer of the optical recording medium, wherein the visible information is recorded by using the same laser bean as that used in recording on the above recording layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk, card or media which comprises: a) a plurality of data structures that are readable by the interrogating beam of light; and b) a composition on or in the optical disk, card or media disposed so that when the optical disk, card or media is used in the optical read-out system, the interrogating beam of light passes through the composition before or after contacting some or all of the data structures. The composition comprises a polymeric matrix with an organometallic complex dissolved therein or with metal, transition metal, metal oxide or transition metal oxide nanoparticles uniformly dispersed therein. The composition is substantially transparent to the interrogating beam and/or is substantially colorless.

Abstract: An optical recording medium has a constitution wherein a visible information recording medium section and an information recording medium section are bonded through a bonding layer. The visible information recording medium section has a constitution wherein a visible information recording layer, a first reflection layer and a first protection layer are stacked on a first substrate. The information recording medium section has a constitution wherein an information recording layer, a second reflection layer and a second protection layer are stacked on a second substrate having a pregroove formed on the surface. The visible information recording layer contains at least one dye compound among a yellow dye compound, magenta dye compound and a cyan dye compound.

Abstract: A recording layer including a novel dye for a high density optical recording medium, employing short wavelength laser source with a wavelength no longer than 530 nm 530 nm for recording high density information and reproduction/playback of the high density information recordings, is provided.

Abstract: A cyanine compound represented by formula (I): wherein ring A and ring B each represent a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring or a substituted or unsubstituted naphthalene ring; R1, R2, R3, and R4 each represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group, or R1 and R2 are taken together, or R3 and R4 are taken together, to form a 3- to 6-membered ring, provided that at least one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is a substituted benzyl group; Y1 and Y2 each represent an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; Anm? represents an m-valent anion; m represents an integer 1 or 2; and p represents a coefficient for maintaining overall charge neutrality.

Abstract: Recording and reproducing characteristics and data saving reliability are secured in a write-once two-layer recording medium. A second recording layer from a side irradiated with light for recording and reproduction includes organic dye shown by a general formula of a chemical formula 3 described below (in the formula, R1 and R2 are alkyl groups of carbon number 1 to 4; Y1, Y2 respectively are organic groups independently; and X is ClO4, BF4, PF6, SbF6), and organic dye shown by a general formula of a chemical formula 4 described below (in the formula, R1, R4 are alkyl groups of carbon number 1 to 4; R2, R3 are alkyl groups of carbon number 1 to 4 or groups forming 3 to 6 membered rings by being coupled; Y1, Y2 respectively are organic groups independently; and X is ClO4, BF4, PF6, SbF6), to secure durability.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical recording medium including a substrate and a recording layer on the substrate having a squarylium metal chelate compound with a central metal. The recording layer includes a mixture of squarylium metal chelate compounds having ligands of the same type as well as metals of two or more types as the central metal. It is preferable that the recording layer includes a squarylium metal chelate compound having a bivalent metal as its central metal and a squarylium metal chelate compound having a metal other than a bivalent metal as its central metal.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium containing a substrate having provided thereon a recording layer capable of recording information by laser beam irradiation, wherein the recording layer contains a dye represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group; R5 and R6 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group; and B represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, which are derivable from a diazonium salt.

Abstract: There is provided an optical information-recording medium, comprising a recording layer capable of recording of information by irradiation of a laser beam having a wavelength of 440 nm or less on or above a substrate, the recording layer comprising a dye having two or more independent dye moieties in the molecule that are bound to each other in a manner other than by forming a conjugated bond to the dye moieties, and a method of recording information, comprising recording information by irradiating a laser beam having a wavelength of 440 nm or less on or above the optical information-recording medium according to the present invention described above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cationic compound denoted by the general formula (I). In general formula (I), Ar1 and Ar2 each independently denote an optionally substituted aryl group or aromatic heterocyclic group, L1 denotes a single bond or a divalent linkage group, with at least one from among Ar1, Ar2 and L1 comprising one or more onium cations; R3 and R4 each independently denote a substituent and may form a ring with a benzene ring substituted; m3 and m4 each independently denote an integer ranging from 0 to 4, and plural R3s and R4s may be identical or different from each other when m3 and m4 are an integer ranging from 2 to 4.

Abstract: An optical recording material comprising at least one kind of a cyanine compound represented by the following general formula (I): wherein ring A and ring B each independently represent a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring which may have a substituent; R1 represents a group represented by the general formula (II), (II?) or (II?); R2, R3 and R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, or a group represented by the general formula (II), (II?) or (II?); R3 and R4 may be linked together to form a ring structure; Y1 and Y2 each independently represent an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms or a group represented by the general formula (III); X represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a phenyl group which may have a substituent, a benzyl group which may have a substituent, or a cyano group; Anm- represents an m-valent anion; m is 1 or 2; and p represents a coefficient keeping the charge neutral.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium has a substrate, and an optical reflection layer, an optical recording layer containing an organic dye, an interlayer, and a cover layer formed in this order on the substrate. The interlayer contains a sputtered Nb2O5—Al203-based composite oxide having an Nb2O5 content of more than 50 mol % and less than 60 mol %.

Abstract: An optical recording medium which comprises a substrate and a recording layer provided on the substrate by using an organic dye compound having absorption maximum in a region with wavelengths longer than that of a writing light used, and which records information by allowing to irradiate the recording layer with the writing light to act on the organic dye compound to form a pit on the substrate.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium is provided. This medium at least stores information that indicates a maximum recording linear velocity Vh. The medium comprises a substrate having a concentric circular guide groove. This guide grove has land portions and groves portions. At least a phase change type recording layer is formed on the substrate. The recording layer has such a composition and thickness that a dislocation linear velocity V satisfies the relation V?Vh×0.85.

Abstract: The azo-metal chelate dye of the present invention is formed, for example, from zinc (divalent) as a center metal ion and an azo compound bonded with a coupler component having an amino group and a fluorine-substituted alkylsulfonylamino group subjected to condensed ring-formation to have a 1,3,4-thiazole ring as a diazo component.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium containing a substrate having provided thereon a recording layer capable of recording information by laser beam irradiation, wherein the recording layer contains a dye represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group; R5 and R6 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group; and B represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, which are derivable from a diazonium salt.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium has light interference layers including a recording layer on a substrate. The recording layer includes an organic dye and a photostabilizer which is, for example, the compound of formula 1 wherein at least one of R1 to R8 represents a substituted alkyl group having a terminal cyano group, with the others represent other substituents; Y represents a monovalent or divalent cation; and Xm? represents a monovalent or divalent anion.

Abstract: The optical recording medium comprises a visible information recording layer comprising at least two dyes of the following dyes. Ra1 to Rb3 each independently denote a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent, Ra2 and Ra3 may bond together to form a five to seven-membered heterocyclic ring, A denotes a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group, substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, n denotes 0, 1, 2, or 3. In general formula (II), R?1 to R?8 and R?1 to R?8 each independently denote a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent, M denotes two hydrogen atoms, a metal, a metal oxide, or a metal having a ligand. A1?N—B1??General formula (III) A1 denotes a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, a substituted aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic group, and B1 denotes a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.

Abstract: Problem: To provide an optical recording medium having a recording layer improved in light stability that is capable of writing and reading of high-density optical information by a short-wavelength laser beam. Means for Solving the Problems: There is provided an optical recording medium with a recoding layer comprising an organic dye compound, wherein the recording layer contains a metal complex compound composed of a pyridone azo compound represented by the following the general formulas [I] to [III] and a divalent ion of metal coordinated to it such as nickel, cobalt, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and the like, wherein the pyridone azo compound contains a 6-hydroxy-2-pyridone structure as a coupling component and isoxazole, 1,2,4-triazole or pyrazole structure as a diazo component. (In the general formulas [I] to [III], R1 to R10 each is independently a hydrogen atom or monovalent functional group.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium capable of being drawn without being overturned by an optical information recording apparatus and cable of being drawn not depending on the wavelength of a laser light to be irradiated, the optical information recording medium having an information recording portion in which a recording layer and a first reflection layer are formed successively on a first substrate, and having a drawing portion in which a second reflection layer, a color-change layer, a color-change assistance layer, and a protection layer are formed successively on a second substrate, in which the second reflection layer is heated by irradiation of a laser light and the material in the color-change layer and the material in the color-change assistance layer are melted by the heat and mixed to cause a color change thereby forming images.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium includes, in order, a first substrate; a recording layer capable of recording and reproducing information by irradiation with a first laser; a reflective layer; at least two visible information recording layers capable of recording visible information by irradiation with a second laser; and a second substrate, wherein said two visible information recording layers are not fused or mixed with each other by irradiation with said second laser light.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical information recording medium having a recording layer capable of recording information by irradiating the recording layer with a laser beam of 440 nm or less. In the optical information recording medium, the recording layer contains an oxonol dye represented by formula (1), and a counter cation (Yt+) of this dye is a cationic dye having an absorption maximum in a range of longer wavelengths than an absorption maximum of an anionic part of the oxonol dye. In the formula, A, B, C and D each represents an electron-withdrawing group. A and B or C and D may be combined with each other to form a ring. If these are not combined with each other, these are electron-withdrawing groups in which the sum of Hammett's ?p values of A and B and the sum of Hammett's ?p values of C and D are each greater than 0.6. R represents a substituent group on methine carbon, and m represents an integer of 0 to 1. n represents an integer of 0 to 2m+1.

Abstract: To provide an optical recording medium exhibiting favorable write/read characteristics in high-speed recording. In an optical recording medium including a reflective layer, a dye-containing recording layer, and a transparent resin layer on a substrate in this order, a barrier layer is disposed between the recording layer and the resin layer, where the barrier layer comprises a material having a bulk thermal conductivity M of 70 W/m·K or more at 300 K and has a thickness t less than 5 nm.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel azo dye material based on antipyrine azo structure and metal complexes containing such azo compounds which are suitable for optical recording media. The dyes exert high light-fastnesses properties and excellent recording characteristics. In particular the invention relates to optical layers comprising such dyes, to a method for manufacturing such optical layers and to optical recording media comprising such optical layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical recording medium containing a first substrate, a first information layer, an intermediate layer, a second information layer and a second substrate in this order, wherein the first information layer contains a first recording layer disposed on the first substrate and the second information layer contains a reflective layer, a second recording layer containing an organic dye and a protective layer which are disposed on the second substrate in this order; and the second recording layer contains an organic dye which is at least one elected from the group consisting of the specified squarylium metal chelate compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical recording material comprising: a polymeric matrix; a dewarbenzene derivative reactant capable of undergoing isomerization to a benzene product upon triplet excitation, thereby causing a change in optical properties; and a sensitizer capable of absorbing actinic radiation to cause triplet energy transfer to said reactant, wherein the algebraic sum of the excitation energy of said sensitizer and its reduction potential is at least 0.05 eV less than the oxidation potential of said reactant, thereby precluding one-electron oxidation of said reactant. The invention further relates to an optical device comprising regional variations in concentrations of reactants and products produced by triplet chain isomerization, thereby providing a pattern of intelligence.