Transition metal complex and their use for optical storage of information.

摘要

The present invention relates to new transition metal-ligand complexes, to their use for optical information storage and to a solid matrix in combination with the said complexes for information storage. The transition metal-ligand(s) complex, in which the metal is capable of having a heat-induced spin transition, is characterised in that one or more ligands L comprise one or more alpha -unsaturated light-isomerisable chains (cis/trans isomerisation), in that one or more anionic groups X are bonded or not bonded to the metal ion and in that the spin state of the metal can be converted to the low spin (LS) or high spin (HS) state under the effect of the modification of the ligand field induced by the isomerisation of the said isomerisable ligands under the action of irradiation by light. Use of the complex in combination with a matrix for optical information storage.