title: Optically switchable diffraction grating in a photochromic/polymer thin film.
abstract: An optically switchable diffraction grating has been made in a thin film containing a photochromic dye and amorphous polycarbonate. We show that a film containing the dye 5-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1,3,3-trimethylspiro[2H-indole-2,3'-(3H)naphth[2,1-b](1,4)oxazine] can be optically processed so that a diffraction grating can be completely switched on by ultraviolet light and turned off by thermal relaxation. The ability to switch or modulate the diffraction efficiency has a number of practical applications that include optical switches and add/drop multiplexers.
authors.forename: G V M
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: My T T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Do
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.forename: M D H
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Bhuiyan
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kay