Copying low spatial frequency diffraction gratings in photopolymer as phase holograms

Abstract

Photopolymers are studied as holographic recording materials for recording computer-generated phase holograms. The recording was performed using a holographic copying process, in which the master is produced by means of a high resolution graphic device. To our knowledge it is the first time a photopolymer has been used to obtain copies with this technique. As it does not work in real time, it is possible to store the diffractive optical element for a long time because the dye is finished during exposition and no wet processing is needed after exposition. The photopolymer used in these experiments was composed of acrylamide and triethanolamine as the co-initiator, photo-initiated with a dye, yellow eoxine. Components were supported by a film of poly-(vinylalcohol) (PVA). The resulting thickness of the film was 70 ± 5 μm, symmetrical and asymmetrical diffraction gratings were obtained as phase holograms by index and thickness modulation, monitored with an electron microscope, and the low spatial frequency response of the photopolymer was studied. Diffraction efficiency achieved for copied gratings was about 30%. With this study we get a complete characterization of the photopolymer for the full range of the typical spatial frequencies that can be recorded with the high resolution graphic device used.