Diarylethene derivatives with oxidized thiophene rings shift their absorption band to a shorter wavelength in the UV region upon photocyclization; no color change was observed during the photochromic reaction, and the invisible photochromism is advantageous for devices used under room light.

Modified DNA strands undergo a reversible light-induced reaction involving the intramolecular photodimerization of two appended anthracene tags. The photodimers exhibit markedly different binding behavior toward a complementary strand that depends on the number of bases between the modified positions. By preforming the duplex, photochromism can be suppressed, illustrating dual-mode gated behavior.

We achieved reversible changes in length and spectrum of Ag nanorods based on plasmon-induced photoelectrochemical reactions. The changes are applied to multi-wavelength and dual-polarization photochromism in visible-infrared regions. It allows display of invisible images viewable only by infrared cameras. Also possible is display of superimposed visible and invisible images.

We developed a chiral 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol-bridged imidazole dimer possessing 100 μs fast photochromism and high fatigue resistance. It offers great opportunities for the practical applications to fast photoresponsive chiral dopants, invisible security materials and optical trigger molecules to induce the dynamic structural changes in biological matters.