Fast Photochromic Molecules toward Realization of Photosynergetic Effects

There has been a growing interest toward the development of advanced photofunctional materials whose photoresponses involve multiple photons and molecules because these materials show the photoresponses which cannot be achieved by a one-photon reaction of a single chromophore. These cooperative interactions of multiple photons and molecules are recently termed as the "photosynergetic" effects, and the understanding and utilization of these effects are becoming important research topics. In this Perspective, we overview the recent progress of the fast T-type photochromic molecules involving the stepwise two-photon absorption processes. Although high power pulse lasers were necessary to induce conventional simultaneous and stepwise two-photon absorption processes, the stepwise two-photon absorption process with the fast photochromic compound can be initiated by extremely weak continuous wave (CW) LEDs. The basic concept and future outlook of the fast photochromism involving the stepwise two-photon absorption process will be discussed.