Single-layer and multilayered films for perpendicular recording based on a Co-Cr alloy

Results of materials research into the dependence of the magnetic properties of Co-Cr recording media on the structural properties are discussed in relation with results from recording experiments. The magnetic properties depend strongly on the preparation conditions. An increase in substrate temperature results in an increase of the coercivity, but also gives rise to inhomogeneities of the Co-Cr film in the growth direction and to lateral inhomogeneities due to Cr segregation. The inhomogeneities in the growth direction are suppressed by the application of a non-magnetic, amorphous Ge layer between the substrate and the Co-Cr layer, resulting in a magnetic layer with a large perpendicular anisotropy. From the slope of the hysteresis loops we obtain, using a model proposed by Kooy and Enz, an estimate for the mean size of the stripe domains, which is found to increase with increasing layer thickness and decrease with increasing substrate temperature. The change in the size of the stripe domains is consistent with the trends calculated from noise spectra obtained in recording experiments. Multilayers of thin Co-Cr layers alternated with non-magnetic Ge layers are also discussed.     

Crystallographic fringe orientation diffraction efficiency in bismuth silicon oxide

We report the first experimental measurement of fringe-angle applied electric field scaling of space charge growth and of crystallographic orientation effects in the initial development of the diffraction efficiency of thick holograms produced by the photorefractive effect in a bismuth silicon oxide (BSO) crystal. Diffraction efficiencies of holograms made by interfering two plane waves on the [¯110] face are measured as a function of the angle between the fringe pattern and the applied electric field. As the crystal is rotated relative to the interference fringes, the applied field may be scaled to yield identical space charge growth. Polarization-dependent diffraction measurements agree with the theory of a birefringent grating when optical activity is included as a separate, serial effect. Both the rotation-scaled applied electric fields and the crystallographic variations in the birefringent diffraction grating are consistent with charge transport processes in which the initial space charge fields are perpendicular to the interference fringes over growth times extending nearly into the steady state regime.     

Studies of the photoreduction of methylene blue in gelatin solutions and films with a view to improving the holographic recording process at 633 nm

The photoreduction of methylene blue (MB), in methylene blue sensitized gelatin (MBG) solutions and films, was studied for the first time with time-resolved laser spectroscopy. The dependence of the lifetime of the triplet state precursor was estimated by varying the pH, and the efficiency of this photoprocess was evaluated in solid thin films. This work constitutes the first step towards improving the holographic recording speed of MBG.     

Influence of the polarization direction of two-beam coupling in photorefractive Bi12SiO20: Diffusion regime

Beam coupling effects in an optically active photorefractive crystal of Bi₁₂SiO₂₀ are very much influenced by the polarization direction of the interacting beams. Analytic expressions for the signal amplification in the diffusion regime have been derived for two commonly used crystallographic configurations,G<001> andG<110>,G being the grating vector. It is shown that only the <001> orientation is suitable for signal amplification. The results obtained for the diffusion regime can be applied, as a first approximation, to the more common and more intricate drift regime in which a bias electric field is applied to the crystal to enhance the coupling effect.     

Phase gratings in the visible and near-infrared spectral range realized by metastable electronic states in Na2[Fe(CN)5NO] · 2H2O

Phase and amplitude gratings in the visible and near-infrared spectral range can be written in SodiumNitro-Prusside (SNP), Na₂[Fe(CN)₅NO] · 2H₂O, single crystals by optical excitation of infinitely long-living metastable electronic states, localized in the [Fe(CN)₅NO]^2– anions. Hence, its photorefractive effect does not depend on dopants or defects. The refractive index is modulated by more thann = 1 × 10^–3 in the red (632.8 nm) andn = 5 × 10^–4 in the near-infrared region (1047 nm). The absorption coefficient is modulated by about = 100 m^–1 at 632.8 nm and 40 m^–1 at 1047 nm. The wavelength dependence ofn can be explained by strong absorption bands in the ultraviolet considering Kramers-Kronig dispersive analysis. The time constant of the write-read-erase processes and the diffraction efficiency depend on light intensity, wavelength and polarization of the light with respect to the crystallographic axes. After excitation of the metastable states the indicatrix is modulated only along thea- andb-axis of the orthorhombic system.     

Spatial reorientation of azobenzene side groups of a liquid crystalline polymer induced by linearly polarized light

The photoinduced 3D orientational structures in films of a liquid crystalline polyester, containing azobenzene side groups, are studied both experimentally and theoretically. By using the null ellipsometry and the UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, the preferential in-plane alignment of the azobenzene fragments and in-plane reorientation under irradiation with linearly polarized UV light are established. The uniaxial and biaxial orientational order of the azobenzene chromophores are detected. The biaxiality is observed in the intermediate stages of irradiation, whereas the uniaxial structure is maintained in the photosaturated state of the photo-orientation process. The components of the order parameter tensor of the azobenzene fragments are estimated for the initial state and after different doses of irradiation. The proposed theory takes into account biaxiality of the induced structures. Numerical analysis of the master equations for the order parameter tensor is found to yield the results that are in good agreement with the experimental dependencies of the order parameter components on the illumination time. Received 23 April 2001 and Received in final form 1 August 2001     

Probing photo-induced alignment in poly(vinyl cinnamate) films by surface second-harmonic generation

Received: 20 September 1998 / Revised version: 18 December 1998     

Brownian motors in the photoalignment of liquid crystals

Light can change the orientation of liquid-crystal molecules. Usually, the torque that causes the reorientation originates in angular-momentum transfer from the radiation field to the material. If a small amount of dichroic dye is dissolved in the liquid crystal, a light-induced torque can appear essentially without the transfer of angular momentum from light. We show that, in such cases, the dye molecules act as light-driven molecular motors which, via an orientational Brownian ratchet mechanism, transfer angular momentum, which originates at the cell walls, to the liquid crystal. Understanding the details of this mechanism is important for applications ranging from flat-panel displays to optomechanical transducers. Received: 20 October 2001 / Accepted: 14 January 2002 / Published online: 22 April 2002     

Holographic behavior of a photopolymer at high thicknesses and high monomer concentrations: mechanism of photopolymerization

One of the main problems involved in the development of holography is that of the recording material used. In this study the behavior of a photopolymer is analyzed when thicknesses greater than 100 μm are used. The photopolymer is made up of acrylamide as monomer, triethanolamine as radical generator, yellowish eosin as sensitizer and polyvinyl alcohol as binder. The main problem is that an increase in thickness produces more scattering and consequently a decrease in the diffraction efficiency. In this study we analyzed the influence of the concentration of monomer on scattering and found that an increase in the concentration reduces scattering. The behavior of the material varies as the concentration of acrylamide is increased. Two polymerization mechanisms compete and so the behavior of the photopolymer is not linear, the reaction is slower and the expected maximum efficiency is not reached. It has been demonstrated experimentally that when the recording intensity is reduced the photopolymer behaves in a linear way. Received: 28 January 2000 / Revised version: 25 July 2000 / Published online: 13 December 2000     

Photosensitive post tuning of chalcogenide Te20As30Se50 narrow bandpass filters

We present an experimental study on the photosensitive properties of narrow bandpass filters based on a chalcogenide Te₂₀As₃₀Se₅₀ (TAS) spacer. The transmittance curve of single TAS layer was shifted towards long wavelength direction after 2 h exposure by Xenon arc lamp. The refractive index and extinction coefficient were both increased together with a red shift of optical gap. A maximum 1.7% photo-induced effect was observed. Narrow band filters constituted by TAS and cryolite were manufactured by electron beam deposition. The transmittance spectrum of the filter during the exposure by a wide band source was in situ measured and the resonant wavelength was observed to turn longer gradually till saturation. A spatially localized central wavelength change up to 5.7 nm was finally obtained. The stability of the photo-induced effect was studied and some comments were given at the end of this paper.