MOLECULAR CIS-TRANS SWITCHING IN AMPHIPHILIC MONOLAYERS CONTAINING AZOBENZENE MOIETIES

A novel principle of molecular architecture for monolayers containing azobenzene moieties is presented which allows the chromophores to be o rganized with a high density and with sufficient mobility for photoche mical change. This monolayer represents a new medium for a data storag e system; each single azobenzene group is in principle capable of stor ing the information of 1 bit. The physical properties of this monolaye r have been investigated at the air-water interface. Data storage in t he micrometer range is demonstrated with a single monolayer transferre d on glass.