Light induced refractive index changes in PMMA films doped with styrene

Solutions of poly(methyl methacrylate) in styrene are used to produce thin polymer films (1m–20m) saturated with styrene monomer. In the illuminated areas refractive index changes up to 10^–2 are achieved by photoinduced polymerisation. The index patterns may be fixed by annealing treatments removing the residual monomer.We thank P. Hertel, M. Kopietz, M. D. Lechner and D. Steinmeier for valuable discussions. Financial support of the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk is gratefully acknowledged.