Organic bistable molecular memory using photochromic diarylethene

A principle of organic memory device using a bistable photochromic molecule is presented that allows extremely high bit densities and very low power consumption. This device is based on an isomerization reaction of photochromic diarylethene molecule via its excited state by an electric carrier injection, not by photon absorption. Experimental data show that the reversible writing and nondestructive reading of information by the carrier injection is feasible. The advantages and properties of such an organic semiconductor memory using a bistable molecule are discussed. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.