Experimental evaluation of entropy for transmission holographic optical elements

An experimental study of transmission holographic optical elements is presented. Several important aspects related to the diffractional analysis of these elements have been considered. The case of the spherical object wave is analyzed in detail. The emphasis is on obtaining the entropy from the intensity distribution on an image plane. We use the calculated entropy to locate experimentally the position of the best image plane in the sense of minimal aberrations for a holographic lens. The comparison of experimental and theoretical results is presented and good agreement between theory and experimentation has been obtained.Part of this paper was presented at the IS & T/SPIE symposium in Electronic Imaging, Science and Technology (Practical Holography IX) February 4–10, 1995, San José, CA, USA     

Anisotropic diffraction of stratified volume holographic grating in photorefractive media

We have studied the anisotropic diffraction properties of the stratified volume holographic gratings recorded in photorefractive media using the anisotropic coupled wave theory. It is shown that the diffraction efficiency of such system exhibit the uniform periodic Bragg selectivity properties. In addition the dependence of the stratified volume holographic optical elements (SVHOEs) diffraction properties on the buffer-layer thickness, grating-layer thickness, number of modulation layers, and total thickness of system are discussed in detail.     

A new phase-conjugate one-way scheme for phase-distortion correction

In this paper we describe a phase-conjugate scheme in which the pump waves are derived from a distorted optical beam by a spatial filtering technique. Experimental demonstration of this scheme is given for phase-distortion correction. To avoid the problem of back reflection a quasi-real-time reconstruction scheme is adopted. The read out is done with a direct beam from the laser.     

New azo-dye-doped polymer systems as dynamic holographic recording media

Polymer materials show their impact on optical storage technology for developing high information density and fast access-type memories with a high read-out efficiency. New azo-dye-doped polymer materials have been developed and used for recording dynamic holograms. Dynamic holograms with reasonably high diffraction efficiency have been recorded at 468 nm, and the efficiency of the Write, Read and Erase (WRE) cycle in these azo-dye-doped polymer materials was determined. Significant observations in these materials are: (i) there is no need to change the polarization of the writing beam to erase the recorded holograms, (ii) the whole WRE cycle is very fast (3–6 s) and (iii) recording of more than 250 WRE cycles without any fatigue of the recording materials is possible.     

Associative recall in a volume holographic storage system based on phase-code multiplexing

We present two different techniques on how to realize a content-addressed holographic memory when using phase-code multiplexing, relying on simple intensity measurements rather than phase distributions. Theoretical and experimental results of associative recall in a phase-coded system designed for digital data storage will be presented and compared to the corresponding method when using angular multiplexing. Received: 2 August 2001 / Revised version: 20 September 2001 / Published online: 23 November 2001     

High-sensitivity read-write volume holographic storage in reduced KNbO3 crystals

Reduced KNbO₃ is a photoconductive ferroelectric in which holograms can be recorded by the photorefractive effect. Read-write volume hologram storage and erase sensitivities ofS ⁻¹=100 J/cm² andS ⁻¹=84 J/cm² (S=d(Δn)/d(I₀t)‖_t=0) have been measured at zero applied electric field, where the charge transport is shown to be due to diffusion of photoexcited electrons. By applying an electric field along thec-axis, the migration length of the photoexcited electrons becomes comparable to the holographic grating spacing. This leads to storage sensitivities comparable to high-resolution photographic plates. Experimental data on storage and erase sensitivity as a function of the grating spacing, applied electric field, writing light intensity and temperature are reported and interpreted on the basis of the theoretical results of Young et al. and Amodei. Changes of the intensity ratio of the writing beams by self diffraction (beam coupling), reflections from surfaces and the residual dark conductivity are assumed to cause experimental results which deviate from the theoretical models. It is shown, that in reduced KNbO₃ and other ferroelectric photoconductors having photocarrier transport lengths much larger than the unit cell dimension, photovoltaic currents do not contribute significantly to the build-up of space-charges leading to the photorefractive effect.     

Inscription of holographic gratings using circularly polarized light: influence of the optical set-up on the birefringence and surface relief grating properties

The polarization properties of the optical set-up used for holographic recording of diffraction gratings on azopolymer thin films are analyzed. The state of polarization of circularly polarized light is fully analyzed after reflection on a mirror at various incidences (Lloyd-mirror set-up). The Stokes analysis is performed using a photopolarimeter and the phase shift, the ellipticity and the azimuth orientation are compared with those calculated from Fresnel formulae. At large angles of incidence, an initially right circularly polarized (RCP) beam becomes elliptically polarized with an azimuth of nearly +45°. From these results, holographic diffraction gratings are recorded on an azobenzene-containing polymer thin film using (i) co- and contra-circularly polarized beams and (ii) a right circularly polarized beam interfering with a +45° linearly polarized light beam. Using Jones-matrix formalism, the polarization states of the diffracted orders from the birefringence (Δn) and the surface-relief (2Δd) gratings are derived and compared with experimental measurements. Finally, the induced local birefringences and surface-relief amplitudes are discussed in connection with atomic force microscopy measurements. The diffraction efficiencies obtained under the (+45°+RCP) and (LCP + RCP) (where LCP = left circularly polarized) configurations are thus compared and discussed. Received: 5 October 2001 / Revised version: 26 November 2001 / Published online: 17 January 2002     

Anisotropic scattering generated by photorefractive four-wave mixing in BaTiO3 crystal

A new type of anisotropic scattering with ring-and-line structure is observed for the first time from a BaTiO₃ crystal illuminated by a linearly polarized laser beam. The analysis presented herein is based on the photorefractive four-wave interaction of the incident, reflected, and scattered beams. The experimental results agree well with the theoretical analysis.     

Higher diffracted orders in a BSO crystal: An experimental study of transients

The emergence of higher diffracted orders when a slightly wedged BSO crystal is illuminated by a single coherent beam is studied with input power and applied voltage as parameters. It is shown that the power spreads gradually towards the higher orders and that the temporal variation of the power in each beam is qualitatively the same as in the case of two-wave interaction.The author is currently with the 86th Military Airlift Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, CA 94535, USA     

Amplification in photorefractive materials via a higher order wave

It is shown that power exchange is possible in photorefractive materials even though the grating produced by the two incident waves is in phase with their interference pattern. The reason is that the interaction of the principal waves will produced higher order waves and their presence will form further gratings which assist power transfer between the principle beams. Under favourable conditions significant amounts of power may be transferred.     

Holography of wave packets

We describe the principles of holographic storage and reconstruction of ultrashort light pulses using spectrally nonselective media. This can be achieved by the application of a 3-D recording medium and by the holography of waves produced by spatial spectral decomposition of light pulses. We also describe various transformations of optical temporal signals based on holographic spectral filtering and nonlinear interaction of spectral decomposition waves.     

A diffraction grating autocorrelator for measurement of single ultrashort light pulses

A simple autocorrelation scheme for measurement of single ultrashort light pulses in the 1–500 ps range is proposed. Only a diffraction grating and a mirror are utilized to obtain a variable time delay between two collinear beams. The advantages of the proposed method and the effect of the grating dispersion on the autocorrelator performance are discussed.     

Formation of holographic diffraction gratings in photoresist

The exposure-development process for the fabrication of holographic diffraction gratings for integrated optics in the positive photoresist Shipley AZ-1350 is theoretically and experimentally investigated. An analysis of the light intensity distribution is carried out, taking into account the reflectivity at the photoresist-substrate interface and the attenuation in the photoresist for two holographic exposure arrangements. The influence of the exposure energy, the development time for a fixed concentration of the developer and the initial photoresist thickness are described. Various grating profiles are calculated for photoresist films, coated on matched and reflective substrates. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrate very good agreement between the actual and calculated gratings profiles.     

Formation of blazed holographic gratings

Various methods for the recording of blazed holographic diffraction gratings are presented and the regions in the wavelength-groove density plane for which they can be used are shown. The gratings are made in the positive photoresist Shipley AZ-1350. The diffraction efficiency for s and p polarization was measured as a function of wavelength and angle of incidence. An absolute efficiency of 80% was achieved.     

The role of carrier mobility in holographic recording in LiNbO3

We investigate the role of carrier mobility in holographic recording in LiNbO₃ crystals. Both normal holographic recording (single wavelength, single trap) and two-center recording are considered, and the differences between the performances of the two methods are explained. We show that increasing mobility by using stoichiometric crystals or by doping with Mg does not improve sensitivity considerably, but does reduce M/# by at least one order of magnitude. Received: 22 February 2001 / Revised version: 5 March 2001 / Published online: 27 April 2001     

Filter characteristics of a chirped volume holographic grating

We compare and analyze the filter properties of transmission-type volume holographic gratings, especially the dispersion characteristics for uniform and chirped gratings. It is theoretically and experimentally shown that the dispersion characteristics can be controlled by introducing one-dimensional chirping to the volume grating in a photorefractive crystal. The filter response including output power and dispersion comes from a combined effect of the spatial spectra of the grating structure, input beam, and output-coupling fiber mode. Filter responses can be designed by controlling these parameters for optical communication applications.     

Calculation of shear angles in holographic gratings recorded in bleached silver-halide emulsions

Shearing phenomena in holographic gratings formed in bleached silver-halide emulsions due to chemical processing are evaluated. These effects are introduced because of the inability of emulsion-thickness changes to explain the anomalous detuning of the peak diffraction efficiency from the expected Bragg condition. Experimental results obtained with transmission and reflection gratings are presented and discussed considering shearing effects, and the values of the shear angles calculated from the Bragg-angle deviation measurements are also provided. In order to separate the shearing phenomenon and the shrinkage of the emulsion layer, a rehalogenating bleach without fixing is used because this bleach bath introduces a minimal change in the thickness of the emulsion. The influences of exposure, spatial frequency and slant angle on shear angles are briefly analyzed and discussed.     

Display method with compensation of the spatial frequency response of a liquid crystal spatial light modulator for holographic femtosecond laser processing

Liquid crystal spatial light modulators, which are widely used as display devices for computer-generated holograms, have modulation characteristics that depend on spatial frequency. We describe a method for displaying a computer-generated hologram on a liquid crystal spatial light modulator with compensation of its spatial frequency response. Using this method, we demonstrate a binary phase grating with smaller dependence on the spatial frequency. We also demonstrate application of the display method to holographic femtosecond laser processing.     

Development of narrow-linewidth diode lasers by use of volume holographic transmission gratings

We present two diode laser setups that employ volume holographic transmission gratings to provide optical feedback. The advantage of this kind of grating is high diffraction efficiency and the possibility to place optical elements on both sides of the grating. This allows for advanced external cavities and adjustable feedback efficiency. The first setup is a diode laser in the Littman configuration with the transmission grating replacing the conventional reflection grating. The second setup improves the frequency selectivity by substituting the feedback mirror with a passive resonator. This grating-enhanced external cavity diode laser (GECDL) achieves excellent frequency stability. A prototype of the GECDL setup demonstrates an intrinsic linewidth of 7 kHz and an operation range that covers the full amplification profile of the laser diode.     

Multiple holographic transmission gratings in silver halide emulsion

Holograms, recorded in silver halide emulsion by a plane reference wave andN cylindrical object waves, are measured as a function of the replay beam angle both for sequential and simultaneous recording. A theoretical model, based on coupled-wave differential equations, is presented. Numerical results for theN=3 case are compared with experiments and good agreement is found. Cross-modulation effects caused by simultaneous recording are discussed and are shown to be detrimental to the fidelity of reproduction of the original object beams. The results are relevant to more general hologram configurations, e.g., display holograms.