Spectral hole burning and holography V Asymmetric diffraction from thin holograms

Abstract

Thin holograms with novel diffraction properties were created in spectral hole-burning materials. Simultaneously sweeping the frequency of the recording light and the phase of the holograms results in an asymmetric distribution of diffraction efficiency between positive and negative orders. Experiments were performed that demonstrate amplified or attenuated diffraction efficiency with respect to holograms recorded at a single frequency. The observed diffraction is well described by a simple model in which small grating amplitudes and weak burning are assumed.