Phototautomerization and broadband spectral holography

We investigate the engraving of spectral holograms in porphyrin-derivative-doped solids, where a tautomerization process gives rise to persistent spectral hole burning at low temperature. Starting with a microscopic model of this process, we build a theory that connects conventional narrow-band hole burning with the engraving and retrieval of broadband holograms, in samples with possibly large optical density. The theory is consistent with the experiment that we designed to check it. © 1998 Optical Society of America [S0740-3224(98)00308-7] OCIS codes: 160.4890, 190.4380, 210.4810, 300.6290, 300.6240, 300.6250.