Complete Bragg diffraction and high two-beam coupling net gain in a photorefractive polymer

Boris L. Volodin, Klaus Meerholz, Sandalphon, Nasser Peyghambarian

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

Photorefractive (PR) polymers are a new class of PR materials in which large (approximately 10-3) photoinduced refractive index changes can be generated with very low light power density (approximately 100 mW/cm2 or less). They offer structural flexibility, ease of processing and lower cost compared with commonly used inorganic PR crystals. We have developed a PR polymer composite with significantly enhanced performance compared with the existing PR polymers: For the first time, complete diffraction of an incident beam into the first (Bragg) diffraction order was observed in a 105 micrometers thick layer of a PR polymer. Absorption and reflection losses limit the measured maximum diffraction efficiency to 86%. The material also exhibits a net two-beam coupling gain of more than 200 cm-1. These results show that this class of materials presents a good practical alternative to the inorganic PR crystals.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)244-251
Number of pages8
JournalProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume2285
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 23 1994
EventHolography I 1968 - San Francisco, United States
Duration: May 1 1968May 2 1968

Keywords

  • Photorefractive polymers
  • Poly(n-vinylcarbazole)
  • Real-time holography
  • Two-beam coupling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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