Analysis of optical propagation in thick holographic gratings

A method of analyzing optical propagation in thick holographic gratings by decomposition of the thick material into thin gratings is discussed. The method is readily applicable to study propagation in multiple gratings of arbitrary spatial frequency and orientation recorded in the same thick emulsion. Applied to the double grating case, the method predicts strong cross-coupling between the two gratings for proper relative slope of the gratings. Results are given.     

Rewritable densification gratings in boron-doped fibers

We show that the strength of long-period gratings recorded in boron-doped fibers by CO2 radiation can be significantly enhanced by a uniform pre-exposure by the same laser. The resultant gratings could be erased by a similar uniform exposure and then recorded again multiple times with no loss of fiber sensitivity. We suggest that such gratings are formed by reversible densification of the fiber core. These densification gratings have higher thermal stability than gratings written with ultraviolet light.     

Noise gratings recorded with single-beam exposures in silver halide emulsions: the influence of the bleach bath

Noise gratings recorded with single-beam exposures in bleached silver halide emulsions are analysed as a function of chemical processing. Two types of bleach baths were used in these experiments (one reversal and the other rehalogenating) and the characteristics of these gratings were determined by measuring the transmittance through the processed hologram as a function of the replay angle. The results obtained show that the study of these noise gratings provides information about the bleaching action during the processing.     

A study of preparation techniques and properties of bulk nanocomposites based on aqueous albumin dispersion

It is established that DNA films sensitized by organic dyes (for example, acridine orange), subjected to pulsed excitation in the dye absorption band, allow for several types of time-dependent holographic recording. Dynamic holographic gratings on the dye triplet states and thermal and relief-phase holographic gratings of nondestructive type have been recorded. The efficiency and lifetime of these gratings depend strongly on the concentration of dye, the type of its bonding with the biopolymer, and the recording-pulse energy. High-efficiency relief holographic gratings formed due to the structural transformations occurring in the biopolymer matrix when the energy of recording laser pulses dissipates into heat spontaneously and completely (or almost completely) disappear with time at room temperature. Some data on the distribution of acridine orange molecules over binding sites in the DNA matrix are obtained.     

Optimization for sinusoidal profiles in surface relief gratings recorded on photoresist

The formations of sinusoidal surface relief structures recorded in positive photoresist (Allresist AR-P 3120) have been studied and optimized for different recording parameters of gratings with spatial frequency of ～1200 grooves/mm. A stable sinusoidal pattern generated using a two-beam laser interferometric technique was recorded in thin films of positive photoresist deposited on glass substrates. Several gratings were generated by varying the exposure time of interference pattern and time of chemical development of exposed media. Time duration of exposure for 90 s and chemical development for 15 s were observed to be optimum for the translation of the sinusoidal interference pattern into nearly-sinusoidal profiled grooves in the gratings for a developer AR-300-26 of dilution of 2:1 (developer:de-ionized water).     

Holographic grating recorded by He–Ne laser operating at 632.8 nm in polymer film containing push–pull azo dye

Holographic gratings were optically recorded by two beams from a He–Ne laser operating at 632.8 nm in poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film containing push–pull azo dye. The holographic characteristics of the recorded gratings were dependent on the polarization direction of the recording beams and the relationship between the diffractive signals and the power density of recording beams was investigated. The formation of holographic gratings accompanied by 532 nm (double-frequency of Nd:YAG laser) irradiation was studied in detail. It was found that the effect of 532 nm laser to the holographic grating lay in two aspects. The acceleration effect of 532 nm laser to the formation of holographic grating is predominant when the power density of 532 nm laser is low. While at relatively high power density of 532 nm laser, the erasure is the main factor to the holographic grating. Moreover, the holographic grating was probed by 532 nm laser at low power density and the dependence of the first order diffractive signal on the recording beam power density was also presented.     

Doubling of the spatial frequency during recording of holographic gratings in dye-sensitized dichromated gelatin

Theoretical and experimental investigations are reported on spatial frequency doubling of holographic gratings, recorded with two linear orthogonal polarizations in dyesensitized dichromated gelatin. This frequency doubling is caused by photoinduced isotropic changes in the optical parameters of the material that depend on the polarization state of the irradiating light. The dependence of the diffraction efficiency on the composition, exposure and spatial frequency of the recorded gratings is investigated in detail.     

Frequency mixing of photorefractive and ferroelectric gratings in lithium niobate crystals

Holographically recorded photorefractive gratings in periodically poled lithium niobate crystals (PPLNs) are investigated. The principal spatial frequency K of the grating is strongly suppressed. Sideband gratings with grating vectors K +/- G appear. From the measurements the domain grating vector G and the duty cycle of the domain structure can be obtained. These findings allow for fast nondestructive quality inspection of PPLN and are of importance for any optical application combining holography and PPLN.     

Holographic nanocomposite and a related diffraction element

Highly selective volume-diffraction gratings are recorded on a holographic acrylate nanocomposite. The holographic characteristics of the gratings are studied. It is shown that the diffraction efficiency of gratings can reach 50% and a 3D hologram is formed. The refractive index modulation is 0.048–0.065.

     

Visualization of type II fiber Bragg gratings induced in a birefringent fiber with an elliptical stress cladding

Experimental results on visualization of type II fiber Bragg gratings induced in a birefringent fiber with an elliptical stress cladding are presented. The gratings are recorded by a single pulse of an excimer KrF-laser by means of the phase-mask method. Images of the gratings are obtained in a bright field using contrasting techniques such as differential interference contrast and dark field. It is shown that single-pulse recording forms several type II Bragg gratings in the optical fiber. The spatial profile of these gratings corresponds to the phase mask period. Microcracks due to which type II gratings are induced are localized both on the boundaries between the fiber core and claddings surrounding it and at some distance from them.     

光频率调制法测量动态光栅瞬态反射谱特性

动态光栅的瞬态特性影响了单纵模掺铒光纤激光器的稳定性. 提出一种利用铒离子瞬态效应,通过对写入光施加快速频率调制测量动态光栅瞬态反射谱的新方法. 测量了线性结构动态光栅的瞬态反射谱,研究了注入光功率与端面反射率 对动态光栅响应特性的影响.结果表明, 3 m长的掺铒光纤形成的动态光栅半带宽为30 MHz, 与稳态理论值符合较好.光栅瞬态反射率相对变化随注入光功率增加和端面反射率增加而减小, 在小注入功率或低端面反射率时,最大的反射率相对变化值约为4%. 光栅建立时间随注入光功率增加而减小,当注入光功率大于4倍饱和功率时,建立时间小于1 ms. 使用双波混频过程可解释这一实验规律.     

Characterization of Index and Surface-Relief Gratings Formed in Methacrylate Photopolymers

We report on an experimental investigation of the dual (index and surface-relief) grating formation in methacrylate photopolymers in the green. It is found that the dynamics of the diffracted signal from high spatial frequency dual gratings recorded in a thin film sample is mainly determined by the evolution of the volume index grating and is strongly dependent on writing intensities. Low spatial frequency dual gratings recorded in a bulk sample are also investigated. Depth profile and magnitude of the index grating are estimated quantitatively from the diffraction efficiency as a function of polish depth from the bulk sample’s surface. It is confirmed that the surface-relief grating is dominant in the light diffraction from the bulk sample.     

Electro-optical switching of liquid crystal diffraction gratings by using surface relief effect in the photopolymer

Surface relief patterns are one of the promising possibilities for the fabrication of liquid crystal (LC) electro-optical devices. Optically recorded surface relief gratings in an acrylamide based photopolymer were filled with the liquid crystal to fabricate liquid crystal diffraction gratings. E49 liquid crystals were used in this work. The switching behaviour of the diffraction grating was investigated by measuring the intensity in the first order when an electric field was applied.     

High-temperature-recorded index gratings in periodically poled lithium niobate

Holographic index gratings based on a zero-electric-field photorefractive effect are recorded at high temperatures in copper-doped periodically poled lithium niobate crystals. The interplay between the domain structure and the index grating is studied: the fundamental grating with spatial frequency K is strongly suppressed. Pronounced sideband gratings with K(s)=K+sG appear, where G is the domain grating vector and s is an integer number. After development, an additional grating based on the electro-optic effect shows up. In contrast with the previously mentioned gratings, this grating allows anisotropic diffraction.     

Photoinduced grating formation in azo-dye-labeled phospholipid thin films by 244-nm light

Holographic gratings are recorded in azo-dye nitrobenzoxazole-labeled phospholipid thin films by use of 244-nm UV light. The gratings continue to grow for more than 1 h, even after the recording light is removed. The diffraction efficiency of these gratings shows extreme sensitivity to humidity and can increase reversibly by 2 orders of magnitude in air that is saturated with water vapor. This effect is related to the unique characteristics of phospholipid molecules that undergo hydration-dependent structural reorganization and self-assembly.     

Sub-milliwatt sub-millisecond recording of population gratings in ytterbium-doped optical fibers at 976 nm

We report effective formation of population gratings in ytterbium-doped fibers by coherent light at 976 nm, i.e. at the wavelength that is typically utilized for optical pumping of these fibers. The dynamic gratings need sub-mW cw laser power to be recorded and have comparable amplitude (absorption) and phase (refractive index) components. Given the spontaneous relaxation time of a Yb³⁺ meta-stable level of ~ 0.8 ms, the grating formation time proved also to be in the sub-ms region with the phase grating component significantly slower than the amplitude one.     

A moiré micro strain gauge

We have built a new strain gauge based on the moiré technique. This strain gauge mainly consists of two frames that can move with respect to each other. Displacements are recorded by using the moiré technique. We use a pair of similar gratings attached to the frames. The gratings are installed in parallel without physical contact and their lines making a small angle with one another. A moiré pattern is formed due to superimposing of the gratings. A diode laser light passes through the moiré pattern and a narrow slit, and hits on a light sensor. In response to external stress, one of the gratings is displaced and, as a result, the moiré fringes move in front of the slit. Due to the fringes movements, the light intensity on the detector varies and is recorded as voltage. The voltage output can be used to measure the strain. This instrument can detect displacements of the order of micron. In this paper we show the experimental results of our instrument.     

Peculiarities of spontaneous grating generation in light-sensitive waveguide layers during holographic grating formation

The generation of spontaneous (noise) gratings during the simultaneous formation of a holographic grating in thin (on the order of the cutoff thickness of the TE₀ waveguide mode) AgCl-Ag films by two laser beams with λ = 532 nm and polarization vectors that make an angle of 45° with the plane of incidence have been studied. The electron microscopy images and diffraction patterns have revealed a significant difference of the spontaneous-grating structure from the structure obtained under irradiation by one laser beam. The spontaneous gratings have a significant spread in the directions of their wave vector, and the diffraction pattern (recorded using a probe beam with λ = 337 nm) has the form of a bundle of diverging arcs that intersect at one point. This difference is caused by self-diffraction from the holographic grating, which is responsible for the main diffraction peaks with odd orders, the growth of spontaneous gratings because of the interference of the beams diffracted by the holographic grating with the waveguide TE₀ modes scattered in the film, and silver transport to the interference minima. The diffraction patterns are quantitatively analyzed and the period of the new (formed under two-beam irradiation) spontaneous gratings is calculated. The calculation results are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Angular Multiplexing Storage in Azo-polymer Liquid Crystal Films Using Shearing Interferometer of Double-frequency Grating

In this paper, the shearing interferometer of a double-frequency grating (DFG) and a small compact Nd∶YVO4 double frequency laser at 532 nm are used to study the multiple storage in azo-polymer liquid crystal (PLC) films. In a principle experiment, the angle-encoded multiple gratings are recorded and the experimental results give triplex gratings at the same region in azo-PLC films, the angle between two adjacent grating vectors being 45°. Compared to the two-beam interferometer and four-wave mixing method, this method has simple configuration, high fringe contrast and quake-proof. A compatible angular multiplexing storage system in azo-PLC films is proposed.     

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.