Optical recording media with triplet-sensitized isomerization

The invention relates to an optical recording material comprising: a polymeric matrix; a dewarbenzene derivative reactant capable of undergoing isomerization to a benzene product upon triplet excitation, thereby causing a change in optical properties; and a sensitizer capable of absorbing actinic radiation to cause triplet energy transfer to said reactant, wherein the algebraic sum of the excitation energy of said sensitizer and its reduction potential is at least 0.05 eV less than the oxidation potential of said reactant, thereby precluding one-electron oxidation of said reactant. The invention further relates to an optical device comprising regional variations in concentrations of reactants and products produced by triplet chain isomerization, thereby providing a pattern of intelligence.