Electric field assisted holographic recording of surface relief gratings in an azo-glass

• Published in: Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics Vol. 78; no. 2; pp. 205 - 209
• Main Authors: REINKE, N, DRAUDE, A, FUHRMANN, T, FRANKE, H, LESSARD, R. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 2004
• Subjects: Beams (radiation); Diffraction efficiency; Diffraction gratings; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Gratings (spectra); Holographic optical elements; holographic gratings; Holographic recording materials; optical storage media; Holography; Lasers; Mathematical models; Optical materials; Optics; Physics; Recording; Refractive index; Thin films; Optical polarization; Azo polymer; Refractive index; Holography; Holographic storage; Experimental study; Gas lasers; Holographic gratings
• ISSN: 0946-2171; 1432-0649
• DOI: 10.1007/s00340-003-1369-2

The formation of holographic gratings in an azo-glass is investigated for the simple case of an intensity grating in the s-polarization of the recording beams. A dual grating is formed as a function of time with a refractive index grating and a relief grating. The diffraction efficiency as a function of recording time is discussed in a model of two consecutive processes with a phase shift. A material transport process is involved in the formation of relief patterns. An additional electrical corona field perpendicular to the sample leads to a magnification of the relief pattern. This process also works in case of a homogeneous exposure.