Quantum-controlled color: chirp- and polarization-sensitive two-photon photochromism of spiropyrans in the solid phase

Phase and polarization control over photochromism in solid-state polymer materials doped with spiropyran compounds is demonstrated. Photochromism induced in spiropyrans by two-photon absorption of femtosecond pulses is shown to be sensitive to the initial chirp and polarization of these pulses. Enhancement of photochromism achieved by means of chirp and polarization control allows the yield of colored-form spiropyran to be increased by more than an order of magnitude.