Changes in the optical properties of amorphous As–Se films under the action of high-power light pulses

An experimental investigation was made of the change in the transmission of light by amorphous As–Se films subjected to light pulses of between 1.5×10^–8 and 60 sec duration. Reduction in the pulse duration increased the efficiency of the change in transmission ("recording") and this was accompanied by a fall in the necessary pulse energy. The results demonstrated that such films could be used for reversible pulsed recording of data (optical storage).