SIMULATION OF RADIATION EFFECTS ON 3-DIMENSIONAL COMPUTER OPTICAL MEMORIES

A model was developed to simulate the effects of heavy charged-particl e (HCP) radiation on the information stored in three-dimensional compu ter optical memories. The model is based on (i) the HCP track radial d ose distribution, (ii) the spatial and temporal distribution of temper ature in the track, (iii) the matrix-specific radiation-induced change s that will affect the response, and (iv) the kinetics of transition o f photochromic molecules from the colored to the colorless isomeric fo rm (bit hip). It is shown that information stored in a volume of sever al nanometers radius around the particle's track axis may be lost, The magnitude of the effect is dependent on the particle's track structur e. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.