Mixed phase-amplitude holographic gratings recorded in bleached silver halide materials

Abstract

The coupled wave theory of Kogelnik has given a well-established basis for the comprehension of how light propagates inside a volume hologram. This theory gives a good approximation for the diffraction efficiency of both volume phase holograms and volume absorption holograms. Mixed holograms (phase and absorption) have also been dealt with from the point of view of the coupled wave theory. In this paper we use Kogelnik's coupled wave theory to give quantitative information about the mechanisms which produce mixed gratings in photographic emulsions. In particular, we demonstrate that mixed amplitude-phase gratings are recorded on photographic emulsions when fixation-free bleaching techniques are used to obtain volume holograms. We will prove that the oxidation products of the bleach can give rise to an absorption modulation at high values of exposure and high concentrations of potassium bromide in the bleach bath. We will also give quantitative data regarding the absorption created by these oxidation products.