Underwater giant enhancement of broadband diffraction efficiency of surface diffraction gratings fabricated by femtosecond laser

Abstract

In this study, a simple approach is proposed to improve the diffraction efficiency of surface diffraction gratings on fused silica fabricated by femtosecond laser. Effects of grating period, pulse energy, scanning speed and wavelength on the total diffraction efficiency are also investigated. In addition, the mechanism of the diffraction efficiency's giant enhancement is discussed by finite difference time domain (FDTD) and optical phase shift structure calculation. It is revealed that: (1) Compared with the diffraction efficiency obtained in air, the underwater image via diffraction grating is clearer than that in air and diffraction pattern in water is much brighter; (2) The diffraction efficiency increases with an increase in wavelength and scanning speed, whereas it decreases while the laser pulse energy is high; and (3) This giant enhancement is attributed to the degree of Mie scattering and refraction, which is effectively reduced for the existence of water.