Polarization properties of thick anisotropic diffraction holograms recorded with infrared-polymerizable media

The polarization properties of thick anisotropic holographic gratings are studied theoretically and experimentally. The dependences of the diffraction efficiency, ellipticity, and polarization orientation of the diffraction beam on the azimuth angle of polarization of an incident Bragg beam are derived. The experimental data are shown to agree well with the analytical calculations. It is found that the diffraction characteristics can be controlled in a wide range of incident polarization.     

Formation of positive and negative anisotropic holographic gratings depending on recording energy in photoreactive liquid crystalline copolymer films

Anisotropic diffractive gratings formed by birefringent molecular alignment are fabricated by a holographic technique using a photo-cross-linkable liquid crystalline copolymer (PLCCP). Depending on the exposure energy used for holographic recording, bright or dark regions of the interference fringe can be chosen for the molecular-aligned region, analogous to positive- and negative-type photoresist processing in photolithography. In conjunction with simultaneously generated surface relief gratings, the anisotropic refractive index modulation inherent in the PLCCP film exhibits different diffraction properties depending on the incident beam polarization. The anisotropic refractive index grating profiles are quantitatively presented for two cases determined by the exposure energy, based on the Fourier analysis of diffractive optics. The selection of different grating formations selected by varying only the exposure energy could provide a strategy for the fabrication of functionalized diffractive optical elements.     

Control of anisotropic diffraction in liquid-crystal composite volume gratings

Orientation-controlled anisotropic diffraction gratings are realized by interferometric exposure using composite materials of nematic liquid crystals (LCs) and LC diacrylate monomers. The anisotropic diffraction properties in volume gratings, which dominantly diffract p- or s-polarized light, are shown to be controlled by the rubbed directions of the alignment layers under the control of the photopolymerization temperature. Images of the fringe patterns observed by polarization microscopy show the effects of the alignment layers on the LC orientation during grating formation.     

Effect of polarization on efficiency of volume Bragg grating filter

<正>Diffraction efficiency of volume Bragg grating,whose period is in the same order as the incident wavelength, is related to the polarization direction of the incident linear polarized beam.When two linearly polarized recording beams with the same polarization direction are used for recording volume Bragg gratings in a photopolymer with diffusion amplification,the azimuth of polarization of the reconstruction beam influences the diffraction efficiency of the grating.When the probe beam is linearly polarized and oriented orthogonally to the grating vectors,the±1-order diffraction beams are also linearly polarized with polarization direction parallel to that of the probe beam.According to the results,a two-dimensional nonspatial optical filter consisting of the volume Bragg gratings would achieve significantly higher efficiency.     

Polarization-independent photochromic diffraction in a dye-doped liquid crystal

We report the observation of polarization-independent photochromic diffraction in an azo-dye-doped liquid crystal. The generation of the phase grating is more than 90% independent of the polarization of the writing beams, and the diffraction by the phase grating is more than 90% independent of the polarization of the probe beam. Unpolarized lamp light was also used to generate real-time phase gratings and self-diffraction. For the first time to our knowledge, photochromic phase modulation and light diffraction that exhibit more than 90% polarization independence for both writing and probe beams were produced in an anisotropic liquid-crystalline material.     

Genetic algorithm-based design method for multilevel anisotropic diffraction gratings

We developed a method for the design of multilevel anisotropic diffraction gratings based on a genetic algorithm. The method is used to design the multilevel anisotropic diffraction gratings based on input data that represent the output from the required grating. The validity of the proposed method was evaluated by designing a multilevel anisotropic diffraction grating using the outputs from an orthogonal circular polarization grating. The design results corresponded to the orthogonal circular polarization grating structures that were used to provide outputs to act as the input data for the process. Comparison with existing design methods shows that the proposed method can reduce the number of human processes that are required to design multilevel anisotropic diffraction gratings. Additionally, the method will be able to design complex structures without any requirement for subsequent examination by a human designer. The method can contribute to the development of optical elements by designing multilevel anisotropic diffraction gratings.     

Multistate polarization addressing using a single beam in an azo polymer film

Peculiar light-matter interactions can break the rule that a single beam polarization can address only two states in an optical memory device. Multistate storage of a single beam polarization is achieved using self-induced surface diffraction gratings in a photoactive polymer material. The grating orientation follows the incident light beam's polarization direction. The permanent self-induced surface relief grating can be read out in real time using the same laser beam.     

A new polarimeter based on optical non-reciprocity in gratings with two-dimensional chirality

We have studied the optical transmission properties of a number of different dielectric diffraction gratings that each exhibit two-dimensional chirality in their grating elements. We have found that the diffracted beams transmitted through these structures exhibit large anisotropic polarization changes and polarization-dependent intensity modulations even though the chiral elements are arranged in square grating arrays. The strength and functional form of both of these effects differ for each diffracted beam. They are also dependent on the chirality of the surface patterning and the thickness of the patterned dielectric film. We show how these properties could be exploited to provide a new and more versatile form of polarimeter, and how the operation of such a device is inherently dependent on the optical non-reciprocity of these chiral gratings.     

线偏光闪耀反射光栅衍射特性研究

通过数值方法对线偏光在Littrow装置中的理想导体闪耀光栅的偏振特性进行研究.用时域有限差分程序计算出任意偏振方向线偏光经过闪耀光栅衍射后的电磁场分布,提取衍射波的S偏振和P偏振分量,讨论了与光栅闪耀角和入射光波偏振角的关系.分析了在1530～1570nm光谱范围内,入射光波为线偏振波和园偏振波时,衍射光波的偏振色散特性与光栅闪耀角的关系,并给出了存在偏振色散的光栅闪耀角范围.这些分析和结果对工程设计具有一定的指导意义.     

Diffraction properties of ultrashort pulsed beams with arbitrary temporal profiles by a reflection volume holographic grating

The diffraction properties of reflection volume holographic gratings are studied when the gratings are illuminated by an ultrashort beam with arbitrary temporal profiles. The modified Kogelnik's theory of coupled waves is used. Simple analytical expressions for spectral and temporal distribution of the transmitted and diffracted are obtained. The dependences of the diffraction bandwidth, the Bragg selectivity bandwidth and the total diffraction efficiency of the reflection volume grating on the temporal profiles of the input ultrashort pulse are investigated. Study shows that the bandwidth of the reflection volume holographic gratings varies with the grating parameters more slowly than the transmitting volume holographic gratings. For three different temporal profiles, numerical results about diffraction properties of the reflection volume holographic gratings are given and compared with the transmitting volume holographic gratings.     

Polarization-controlled switching between diffraction orders in transverse-periodically aligned nematic liquid crystals

Transverse-periodic-oriented nematic liquid crystals (LCs) are a special type of optical axis grating that are capable of very high efficiency diffraction (theoretically, 100%) in thin layers of materials with thickness comparable to the radiation wavelength. In particular, they fully diffract linearly polarized input beam into circularly polarized +1st and -1st diffraction orders. We experimentally demonstrate switching between diffraction orders of such gratings when the polarization of the incident beam changes from right-circular to left-circular and vice versa with the aid of an electrically controlled LC phase retarder. Such a setup in which the diffraction efficiency and direction are controlled externally, without application of an electric field to the transverse-periodic grating, provides additional control opportunities and does not compromise the quality of the grating. The grating used in the experiment was 1.5 microm thick and had a period of 4 microm. The contrast ratio of switching between the +1st and -1st orders was as high as 267:1 for a He-Ne laser beam with a switching time of 6.6 ms.     

记录结构对体光栅各向异性衍射选择特性研究

以静态体光栅各向异性衍射理论分析模型为基础，将与体光栅厚度有关的记录光强调制度引入到各向异性耦合波方程中.利用耦合波理论分析了光折变晶体中体光栅的各向异性衍射性能，研究了在不同初始记录光强比的条件下，记录光入射角的改变对光折变体光栅各向异性布喇格衍射性能的影响.结果表明：记录光入射角和记录光初始光强比均对体光栅的各向异性衍射具有选择性；与此相比，记录光入射角和记录光初始光强比对于体光栅各向同性衍射不具备选择性.     

Coherence-polarization mixing in resonance gratings

We show, using rigorous diffraction theory, that resonance gratings can be used to transfer partial spatial correlation to partial polarization even if the incident light beam is fully polarized. The phenomenon is based on the fact that either of the two orthogonal polarization components can be coupled into the leaky waveguide mode, leading to a strong phase delay, while the other one is reflected without being coupled into the grating. Numerical demonstrations are based on a Gaussian Schell-model beam and a grating analysis performed by rigorous Fourier modal method.     

用耦合波方法研究取样光栅的衍射特性

 介绍了利用耦合波理论编写计算光栅衍射特性程序的基本思想和主要步骤。利用编写的程序计算并分析了一种用于激光取样光栅TE波和TM波的衍射特性。     

Three-dimensional vector holograms in photoreactive polymer dissolved liquid crystal composite

A detailed analysis of three-dimensional vector holograms is presented which were recorded in a photoreactive polymer dissolved liquid crystal. The diffraction properties of resultant periodic anisotropic structures were investigated. Experimental observations confirmed that the diffraction efficiencies of the structures varied with slight changes of the grating pitch, and also that they strongly depended on the incident angle of the probe beam. These diffraction properties were explained by the finite-difference time-domain optical simulations.     

Ultrasonic diffraction of Bessel light beams in uniaxial gyrotropic crystals

Specific features of the acousto-optic diffraction of Bessel light beams propagating in the vicinity of the optical axis of a uniaxial gyrotropic crystal have been investigated. The dependences of the diffraction efficiency on the acousto-optic interaction length, ultrasound power, and polarization state of the incident Bessel light beam have been analyzed using the coupled-wave equations and the overlap-integral method. It is shown that polarization-independent diffraction of Bessel light beams is observed in paratellurite crystals, when the Bragg diffraction efficiency is independent of the polarization state of the incident beam. The physical reason for this diffraction has been established (both theoretically and experimentally) to be simultaneous implementation of two processes of anisotropic scattering, at which the Bragg synchronism conditions are satisfied for orthogonal polarized Bessel beams with elliptical polarization.     

共振域矩形介质光栅的逆向设计

采用模态法研究了共振域光栅分束器及闪耀光栅等光学器件的设计原理及逆向设计方法,给出了-1级非偏振闪耀光栅的典型设计示例。研究表明,自准直角入射时,光束在光栅内传输将激发产生离散模,通过调节离散模透过光栅传输时的累积相位差,可对衍射光进行调控,实现偏振(非偏振)分束、偏振(非偏振)闪耀等功能。采用严格耦合波法对基于模态法逆向设计的-1级非偏振石英闪耀光栅的几何参数进行验证,计算结果显示两者非常吻合,证明了该方法的正确性。     

BR-PVA固体膜在四波混频相干场中的光栅特性和位相共轭波的暂态行为

利用Ar离子激光简并四波混频(DFWM)技术,对细菌视紫质(BR)-聚乙烯醇(PVA)固体膜的位相共轭波特性进行了理论和实验研究。采用BR光循环的双态模型和粒子数速率方程,以及全息光栅理论描述了该体系的PC波的衍射效率、时间响应和饱和特性,给出了相应的表达式。讨论了该体系在DFWM场中的光栅机制和上述特性对于输入波的偏振态,强度和强度比,到达样品的时间和形成的初始浓度光栅等参数的依赖关系。实验结果与理论分析相符。     

透射型光折变体全息光栅对超短脉冲激光光束衍射的特性

在Kogelnik耦合波理论的基础上,考虑光栅记录介质的色散效应的影响,研究了光折变体全息光栅对不同偏振状态的超短脉冲激光光束衍射的性质,讨论了高斯型入射脉冲激光光束的谱宽与光栅的有效衍射谱宽之比不同时,衍射和透射光束的光谱宽度、时间宽度、波形和衍射效率的变化。结果表明,光栅的有效衍射谱宽受光栅参量及入射条件的影响,对衍射性质的影响很大,且在考虑光栅记录介质的色散效应时减小。当入射脉冲的偏振方向垂直于入射面时,光栅的有效衍射谱宽大于偏振方向平行于入射面的情形,衍射效率在入射脉冲宽度较大时小于偏振方向平行于入射面的情形;谱宽比较大时,衍射光束的时间分布曲线产生展宽和变形,且比偏振方向平行于入射面的情形展宽和变形得更加明显。     

Coupling of orthogonally polarized waves in BaTiO3

The first observation of anisotropic diffraction (with a 90|Mo change of the polarization of the diffracted wave) in BaTiO₃ from a grating recorded by two orthogonally polarized waves, an ordinary and an extraordinary wave, is reported. Three possible origins of this effect are considered: (i) direct one-step diffraction from a grating recorded anisotropically by spatially oscillating photovoltaic currents, (ii) indirect, sequential diffraction from two gratings, each recorded by one incident wave and an additional wave due to light-induced scattering, (iii) direct one-step diffraction from a grating with the grating vector equal to the difference of the grating vectors of two conjugated noisy gratings. The experimental evidence indicates that the process (iii) contributes most, and process (i) more than 10% to the overall diffraction efficiency, whereas process (ii) seems to be of minor importance.