Use of dynamic theory to describe experimental results from volume holography

Abstract

The general applicability of dynamic theory to the description of the recording and readout characteristics of volume (thick) hologram gratings is indicated. In dynamic theory (as opposed to static theory), the volume nature of the thick holographic grating allows the interference of an incident light beam with its own diffracted beam inside the recording medium. This effect causes the continuous recording of another grating that alters the initial one, producing a resultant grating that is not uniform through the thickness of the recording material and a grating whose writing and reading characteristics may vary dramatically depending on the recording material and the experimental conditions. A large number of diverse types of writing, reading, and angular selectivity behavior have been reported in the published literature. The dynamic theory of thick hologram writing and reading is shown to predict qualitatively all of these various types of experimental behavior.