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.