Thin-film aggregate color centers as media for frequency domain optical storage

Thin films of aggregate color centers have been produced by electron and ion irradiation of bulk alkali halide crystals. The transverse spatial distribution of the centers was controlled on a submicron scale using electron lithography. Photochemical hole burning has been accomplished for the first time in a thin film of color centers, using the 6070 Å zero-phononN ₁ line produced by ion and electron irradiation of NaF crystals.