Controlled diffractive optical elements containing a vanadium dioxide film

The principles of constructing optical devices on the basis of diffractive structures with a vanadium dioxide film for the control of radiation in the mid-IR range are analyzed. Methods are described for the practical implementation of such devices at λ=10.6 μm, and their response characteristics are calculated. It is shown that a contrast of 1:10⁷ can be attained in diffractive optical elements, and the actuation time of the elements when switched on by an intense laser beam can be shortened to tens of nanoseconds.