First, second and third order blazes of diffraction gratings

Abstract

The effects of operating gratings with non-zero constant angular deviations are discussed. The results show that gratings having triangular groove profiles are far less sensitive to the deleterious effects of angular deviation than are holographic gratings. In the case of ruled gratings, angular deviation can often provide a useful reduction in the undesirable effects of anomalies. Ruled gratings have often been utilized in a combination of first and higher orders, so as to extend their spectral range. This has motivated the comprehensive studies reported of the second and third order blazes of ruled gratings. It is shown that the higher order blazes of holographic gratings are both narrower and weaker than those of comparable triangular profile gratings. Thus, holographic gratings are less suited to use with a plurality of orders.