High‐Capacity Photochromic Rotary Encoder for Information Encryption and Storage

Abstract

Photochromic materials are widely used in optical data storage, data encryption, and anti‐counterfeiting because of their ability to be written, erased, and read repeatedly. However, conventional information encryption and storage capabilities based on a “matrix” pattern in a 2D plane are limited to fewer storage dimensions, making information less secure. Here, a new concept of expanding the storage dimensions is presented by manipulating the rotation angle in 2D photochromic encoding disks based on the principle of the absolute encoder. For this purpose, a novel photochromic material, NaNbO3:xEu3+ is developed, with highly efficient red emission, a large luminescence switching contrast, and antithermal quenching behavior. The designed photochromic rotary encoder made with the NaNbO3‐based material exhibits higher‐level data encryption than that of conventional encoders and unlimited storage capability. This study presents exciting opportunities for information storage and encryption using luminescent photochromic materials.