Three-Dimensional Vector Holograms in Photoreactive Anisotropic Media

Abstract

Polarization gratings, in which optical anisotropy is periodically modulated, are very attractive from the point of view of their interesting optical properties, including polarization selectivity of the diffraction efficiency and polarization conversion in the diffraction process (Nikolova et al., 1984). These properties make polarization gratings useful for numerous optical applications related to polarization discrimination (Davis et al., 2001; Asatryan et al., 2004), control (Nikolova et al., 1997; Hasman et al., 2002), and measurement (Gori, 1999; Provenzano et al., 2006). Polarization gratings can be fabricated by holographic exposure with polarized interference light in photoanisotropic media such as azobenzene-containing polymer (azopolymer) films (Todorov et al., 1984; Ebralidze et al., 1992; Huang and Wagner, 1993; Samui, 2008). Since azobenzene molecules reorient in accordance with polarization of light resulting from trans-cis-trans photoisomerization reactions, periodic structures are formed as spatial distribution of the molecular orientation by holographic recording using vectrial light (i.e., by vector holography). In addition, surface relief gratings are obtained by holographic recording in azopolymers (Rochon et al., 1995; Kim et al., 1995; Ramanujam et al., 1996; Naydenova et al., 1998; Labarthet et al., 1998, 1999). Nikolova et al. have investigated the diffraction properties of various types of vector holograms recorded in side-chain azobenzene polyesters (Nikolova et al., 1996). Birabassov and Galstian have analyzed the relationship of polarization states between holographic recording and reconstruction beams with the use of azopolymers (Birabassov et al., 2001). It has been also demonstrated that vector holograms realize recording and reconstruction of polarized optical images (Ono et al., 2009a, 2009b). In a previous paper, we presented three-dimensional (3D) vector holography, which is a novel concept for holographic recording using vectrial light (Sasaki et al., 2008). Common vector holograms are recorded in initially isotropic media such as amorphous azopolymers. In contrast, 3D vector holograms are recoded in initially anisotropic media. Since the propagation velocity of light in anisotropic media varies in accordance with the polarization state, standing waves with a multidimensionally varying state of polarization were obtained in the region of overlap. We recorded anisotropic gratings in a liquid crystalline medium by