title: Dual-functional diffraction grating based on selective metal deposition of photochromic diarylethene.
abstract: Dual-functional diffraction gratings, which show different diffractions in transmission and reflection, are proposed as an essential optical element. We utilize a flattening effect of photochromic diarylethene (DAE) in the low glass transition temperature state and selective metal deposition to prepare the gratings. The uncolored lines of the colored DAE layer on a grating substrate with grooves were formed by red-laser scanning, and Mg evaporation onto the substrate without a shadow mask enabled Mg-line formation at right angles to the grooves. After being stored at 27 °C for 500 min, the sample showed two-dimensional diffraction in reflection but one-dimensional diffraction in transmission, meaning that a dual-functional grating was achieved. This result shows great potential as a key element for various future optical devices and systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Education, Osaka Kyoiku University, Kashiwara, Osaka, Japan. tsujioka@cc.osaka-kyoiku.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsujioka
authors.forename: Naoya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Matsui