Photon energy conversion and management in SrAl12O19: Mn2+, Gd3+ for rewritable optical information storage

•Optical stimulated luminescence is observed from SrAl12O19: Mn2+, Gd3+.•The detrapping of electrons is operable by controlling the IR laser.•An optical information storage that integrate a writing-storing-readout-erasing-rewriting is realized. In the current big data era, state-of-the-art optical data storage has become a front-runner in competing data storage technologies. In this work, we propose an information storage prototype using optical stimulated luminescent phosphor of SrAl12O19: Mn2+, Gd3+, which converts the photon into trapped electrons and partially releases them in a form of luminescence when irradiated by infrared irradiation, rendering an optical information storage ability. Information storage can be realized in both graphical and digital formats. In this way, graphical patterns can be stored and rejuvenated by infrared irradiation, and a set of digital data is recorded step by step by a home-make decoding system, completing an optical data reading process. This work provides a practical example for future application of writing-storing-readout-erasing-rewriting integrated optical information storage.