Thermally assisted recording of holographic gratings in semicrystalline azobenzene-containing polymers.
We examine optically induced birefringence in semicrystalline azopolymer films that are held at glass-transition temperature Tg. The birefringence increases markedly after interception of the pump beam; the saturation value depends on exposure time. In addition, the induced birefringence is completely erased by irradiation with a circularly polarized beam at Tg. Using this thermally assisted method, we demonstrate the holographic recording of a test image. The intensity of the diffracted beam also increases after interception of the writing beams. Furthermore, the retrieved image is found to have a resolution of approximately 30 lp/mm. This resolution is comparable with that of the optical setup that is used. Accordingly, the thermally assisted recording by use of semicrystalline azopolymers is a promising method for reversible holographic storage.
Minabe
Jiro
J
Fuji Xerox Company, Ltd., Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa, Japan. minabe.jiro@fujixerox.co.jp
Kawano
Katsunori
K
Nishikata
Yasunari
Y