High-quality correction of wavefront distortions using low-power phase conjugation in azo dye containing LC polymer

Abstract

Dynamics of light wavefront correction using optical phase conjugation (OPC) in the film of azo dye containing liquid-crystal polymer has been investigated experimentally. The OPC reflectivity more than 35% was attained at ∼1 mW power of pump and signal CW beams at λ=532 nm. We studied the dynamics of compensation of wavefront distortions at different operation conditions. The OPC response time∼1 s was reached at the polymer temperature of 69 ° C. High-quality correction of light wavefront distortions was obtained: the residual RMS error of compensation decreased by a factor of ∼10 2 at the end of OPC transient process. Restoration of spatially modulated light beam on its passage through the phase plate with strong aberrations has been demonstrated.