Reading Beam Research Articles

Biphotonic holographic grating recordings for different polarization configurations in spirooxazine-doped polymers.

Spirooxazine-doped polymers exhibit a fast photochromism response and high polarization sensitivity after irradiation in the short-wavelength range. Based on such properties, holographic grating recordings accompanying a linearly polarized blue-violet beam (405nm) in a photochromic film were performed by two coherent green beams (532nm) for s-s, p-p, s-p left-to-right circular polarization and right-to-right circular polarization. Under the biphotonic action of 405 and 532nm, the temporal evolution of the diffraction efficiency was strongly dependent on the polarization configuration of the recording beams. It was found that the blue-violet irradiation plays a dual role in holographic recordings: generation of merocyanine aggregation and induction of anisotropy. The experimental results were precisely fitted with a phenomenological model, assuming the simultaneous formation of one absorption grating induced by the 532nm light and two coupling phase gratings generated from the refractive index changes by recording and auxiliary beams. The existence of absorption and phase gratings was proved by observing the florescence emission of holographic gratings and testing the dependence of the diffraction efficiency on the reading beam polarization state, respectively. The results provided a good deal of insight into the photochromic behavior of spirooxazine in polymers and created a new range of applications in the field of high-density optical storage.

Volume polarization holographic recording in thick photopolymer for optical memory.

Based on a vector wave theory of volume holograms, dependence of holographic reconstruction on the polarization states of the writing and reading beams is discussed. It is found that under paraxial approximation the circular polarization holograms provide a better distinction of the reading beams. Characteristics of recording polarization holograms in thick phenanthrenequinone-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PQ/PMMA) photopolymer are experimentally investigated. It is found that the circular polarization holographic recording possesses better dynamic range and material sensitivity, and a uniform spatial frequency response over a wide range. The performance is comparable to that of the intensity holographic recording in PQ/PMMA. Based on theoretical analyses and the material properties, a polarization multiplexing holographic memory using circularly polarization recording configuration for increasing storage capacity has been designed and experimentally demonstrated.

20.1: Color Holographic Display Based on Fast‐Response Liquid Crystal Cell

AbstractA multiplexed holographic video has been achieved with a passive liquid crystal cell, whose response time is in the order of several milliseconds. Meanwhile, reconstructed RGB images are merged as a white color image, providing a possibility of real‐time color holographic three‐dimensional display. In addition, the dependence of the intensities of reconstructed images on the polarization direction of reading beam is investigated.

All-optical Brillouin dynamic grating generation in few-mode optical fiber

We report, for the first time (to our knowledge), generation of Brillouin dynamic gratings (BDGs) in few-mode optical fibers. A moving acoustic grating is generated by stimulated Brillouin scattering using a writing beam in one fiber mode, which is used to reflect a reading beam at a different wavelength in another fiber mode. With single-end pumping, a BDG with a tunable reflectance of up to 0.1% is demonstrated in a 15km specially designed two-mode optical fiber.

Beam shaping for 1 053-nm coherent light using optically addressed liquid crystal light valve

An optically addressed liquid crystal light valve based on the photoconductive effect of the Bismuth Silicate (BSO) layer is presented. The transmittance of read beam (1 053 nm) through the light valve changes with the intensity of address beam (470 nm) projected onto the BSO layer. Beam shaping for 1 053-nm coherent light by using this device is reported. The device has the advantage of high transmittance and it can overcome the problem of black-matrix effect compared with the traditional thin film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal modulator.

OPTICALLY ADDRESSED SPATIAL LIGHT MODULATORS FOR 3D DISPLAY

An optically addressed spatial light modulator (OASLM) records the image on a write beam and transfers it to a read beam. Some example application areas are: image transduction; optical correlation; adaptive optics; and optical neural networks. Current interest in OASLMs has been generated by the work of Qinetiq on 3D display. This work is based on Active tiling, where an image can be recorded in one part of the device and is memorised, whilst the remainder of the device is updated with images. This paper will explain this system and survey the technological alternatives for this application.

Focusing Error Detection Method in Microholographic Data Storage System Using Polarization Characteristics

We present a disk-focusing error detection method for microholographic data storage systems using polarization characteristics. In high-speed optical storage systems, disturbances exist along the vertical direction of a disk. The diffraction efficiency of a readout signal depends on the distance between the focusing point of the reference beam and the vertical center of the microholographic grating. The proposed disk focusing error detection method uses only one laser source, unlike most existing systems, which use two laser sources. By using polarization characteristics, disk-focusing and reading beams are inserted in the media without interference, and the proposed system achieves the simultaneous reading of microholograms and disk-focusing control. By evaluating the focus error signal, we verified the reliability of the optical path and tolerable S-curve (FES) balance (1.8%) for the proposed system. It is possible to achieve a diffraction efficiency of over 90% at the best focus position using the proposed disk-focusing method.

Advantages of mesh tallying in MCNPX for 3D dose calculations in radiotherapy

The energy deposition mesh tally option of MCNPX Monte Carlo code is very useful for 3-Dimen- tional (3D) dose calculations. In this study, the 3D dose calculation was done for CT-based Monte Carlo treatment planning in which the energy deposition mesh tally were superimposed on merged voxel model. The results were compared with those of obtained from the common energy deposition (*F8) tally method for all cells of non-merged voxel model. The results of these two tallies and their respective computational times are compared, and the advantages of the proposed method are discussed. For this purpose, a graphical user interface (GUI) application was developed for reading CT slice data of patient, creating voxelized model of patient, optionally merging adjacent cells with the same material to reduce the total number of cells, reading beam configuration from commercial treat- ment planning system transferred in DICOM-RT format, and showing the isodose distribution on the CT images. To compare the results of Monte Carlo calculated and TiGRT planning system (LinaTech LLC, USA), treatment head of the Siemens ONCOR Impression accelerator was also simulated and the phase-space data on the scoring plane just above the Y-jaws was created and used. The results for a real prostate intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plan showed that the proposed method was five- fold faster while the precision was almost the same.

Polarization-Sensitive Reading Method for High-Density Optical Data Storage

A method is proposed for reading sub-diffraction-limited recording marks to achieve higher-density optical data storage. We utilize polarization rotation of light reflected from a recording medium owing to the inhomogeneous distribution of the transverse field perpendicular to the polarization direction of focused reading beam. Even if the readout beam simultaneously illuminates several marks, the mark pattern can still be identified by detecting the change in the polarization of the reflected signal light in addition to its intensity. The feasibility of the method was demonstrated by performing a numerical calculation and an experiment with a model recording medium.

Optical functionalism of azopolymers: Photoinduced orientation and re‐orientation of dendrimer structures of different generations

AbstractWe report on second order optical nonlinearity in E–O active polymer materials – dendrimer structures of three different generations – investigated by means of all‐optical poling. Chromophores containing azo junction used for experiments were prepared as guest‐host type system based on polycarbonate matrix spin‐coated on a glass substrate. Molecular orientation and subsequent decay kinetics in two modes of reading beam performance, when reading (i) not permanent irradiated or (ii) permanent irradiated, were measured. Depending on the intensity of reading beam the decay for different structures was measured and analyzed. Experimental results show that read‐out intensity determines faster decay of second harmonic signal, i.e., effective “washing‐out” the polar orientation alignment of molecules.

Enhanced and Constant-value Transient Diffraction Efficiency from a Recorded Grating in a BaTiO<sub>3</sub> Crystal

A simple method has been proposed here to get an enhanced and constant-value transient diffraction efficiency for a large time scale from a recorded grating in an undoped BaTiO3 crystal. After writing a steady-state grating by two cw recording beams (λ=514.5 nm), when the recording beams are switched off, the recorded grating as well as the diffraction efficiency decreases at a faster rate initially, and thereafter reaches to almost a stationary level for some few seconds. The diffraction efficiency for this level is very small compared to that for a steady-state grating and it becomes smaller slowly with time. We can increase (about twice the initial stationary-level value) this small diffraction efficiency from its any initial value and have this value (increased) constantly for a large time scale by using a suitable backward-pulsed reading beam containing the same properties as the recording beams.Keywords: Photorefractive effect; Transient diffraction efficiency; Steady-state volume grating; Ferroelectric perovskite crystal.© 2011 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.doi:10.3329/jsr.v3i2.5593 J. Sci. Res. 3 (2), 217-224 (2011)

Quantum interference of stored dual-channel spin-wave excitations in a single tripod system

Quantum memories are essential elements in long-distance quantum networks and quantum computation. Significant advances have been achieved in demonstrating relative long-lived single-channel memory at single-photon level in cold atomic media. However, the qubit memory corresponding to store two-channel spin-wave excitations (SWEs) still faces challenges, including the limitations resulting from Larmor procession, fluctuating ambient magnetic field, and manipulation/measurement of the relative phase between the two channels. Here, we demonstrate a two-channel memory scheme in an ideal tripod atomic system, in which the total readout signal exhibits either constructive or destructive interference when the two-channel SWEs are retrieved by two reading beams with a controllable relative phase. Experimental result indicates quantum coherence between the stored SWEs. Based on such phase-sensitive storage/retrieval scheme, measurements of the relative phase between the two SWEs and Rabi oscillation, as well as elimination of the collapse and revival of the readout signal, are experimentally demonstrated.

Micropatterning of light-sensitive liquid-crystal elastomers

We demonstrate that photoisomerizable liquid-crystal elastomer soft films can be used as tunable holographic gratings. Optomechanical mechanism of imprinting one-dimensional grating structure into the soft matrix by two-beam uv laser interference can be clearly resolved from the time dependence of the reading beam diffraction patterns. We analyze the observed response in terms of cis-trans isomerization-controlled modulation of the grating profile. The grating period can be tuned reversibly by stretching or contraction of the specimen, either thermomechanically or by applying external stress. Temperature-induced modifications of the grating parameters in the vicinity of the nematic-paranematic phase transition are also examined.

Recording and reading temperature tolerance in holographic data storage, in relation to the anisotropic thermal expansion of a photopolymer medium

In holographic data storage, it is difficult to retrieve data if the temperature difference between recording and reading exceeds 2 K. To widen this tolerance, a compensation method--adjusting the wavelengths and incident directions of the recording and reading beams--has been proposed. In this paper, for the first time, a method for calculating the recording and reading temperature tolerance using this compensation is introduced. To widen the narrow tolerance, typically +/- 10 K, it is effective to increase the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the substrate or decrease the CTE of the photopolymer. Although reducing the Numerical aperture of the objective lens is also effective, it degrades the recording density.

Polarization storage by two-photon-induced anisotropy in bisazobenzene copolymer film

A copolymer containing bisazobenzene chromophores, poly[(methylmethacrylate)-co-4-{(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)oxy}-4′-(4-nitro-phenylazo)azobenzene)] (poly(MMA-co-M2BAN)), was synthesized and used for two-photon-induced polarization storage. Based on two-photon-induced optical anisotropy resulting from photoselective isomerization of bisazochromophores, the data have been recorded by linearly polarized Ti:Sapphire laser (wavelength: 800 nm, pulse duration: 80 fs, and repetition rate: 80 MHz) and read by reflection confocal laser scanning microscope. The recorded bits are dark dots when the polarization of the reading beam is parallel to the recording beam, but the recorded bits become bright dots when the polarization of the reading beam is perpendicular to the recording beam. Two letters can be encoded in the same region of a given layer by separating the two polarization directions of recording beams at an angle of 45°. The relationships between the readout intensity of the recorded bits and the recording power under two different readout modes were investigated and the results showed that there are two opposite change trends for parallel readout and perpendicular readout, respectively, and the readout threshold value is around 12 mW.

Digital polarization holograms with defined magnitude and orientation of each pixel's birefringence

A new form of digital polarization holography is demonstrated that permits both the amplitude and the phase of a diffracted beam to be independently controlled. This permits two independent intensity images to be stored in the same hologram. To fabricate the holograms, a birefringence with defined retardance and orientation of the fast axis is recorded into a photopolymer film. The holograms are selectively read out by choosing the polarization state of the read beam. Polarization holograms of this kind increase the data density in holographic data storage and allow higher quality diffractive optical elements to be written.

Efficient Bragg diffraction in thin semiconductor two-dimensional gratings

Highly improved diffraction properties are demonstrated in a two-dimensional [2D] grating consisting of a transmission grating optically recorded in a semiconductor one-dimensional photonic crystal (1D-PC). Near unity internal diffraction efficiency, high wavelength selectivity, and Bragg diffraction regime operation are demonstrated when the read beam is set at Bragg incidence on the transmission grating while its wavelength corresponds to the band edge of the 3 microm thick 1D-PC. When the 2D grating is grown on a Bragg mirror, a single diffracted beam is obtained, which makes the device promising for optical signal processing.

Optimization of a holographic memory setup using an LCD and a PVA-based photopolymer

Holographic data pages were stored in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/acrylamide (AA) photopolymer. This material is formed of AA photopolymers which are considered interesting materials for recording holographic memories. A liquid crystal device was used to modify the object beam and store the data pages in the material. During the storage process, some parameters like exposure time, beam ratio and reading beam intensity were controlled to obtain high image quality after the reconstruction process. The bit error rate (BER) was calculated fitting the histograms of the images to determine what parameters improve the quality of the images.

All-optical dynamic grating generation based on Brillouin scattering in polarization-maintaining fiber

We report a novel kind of all-optical dynamic grating based on Brillouin scattering in a polarization maintaining fiber (PMF). A moving acoustic grating is generated by stimulated Brillouin scattering between writing beams in one polarization and used to reflect an orthogonally polarized reading beam at different wavelengths. The center wavelength of the grating is controllable by detuning the writing beams, and the 3 dB bandwidth of approximately 80 MHz is observed with the tunable reflectance of up to 4% in a 30 m PMF.

Analytical solution to compensate for thermal expansion change in photopolymer volume holograms using a tunable laser

For holographic data storage, it is necessary to adjust the wavelength and direction of the reading beam if the reading and recording temperature do not match. An analytical solution for this adjustment is derived using first-order approximations in a two-dimensional model. The optimum wavelength is a linear function of the temperature difference between recording and reading, and is independent of the direction of the reference beam. However, the optimum direction of incidence is not only a linear function of the temperature difference, but also depends on the direction of the reference beam. The retrieved image, which is produced by a diffracted beam, shrinks or expands slightly according to the temperature difference.