Holographic grating recording in azobenzene polymer films

Abstract The photo-induced birefringence grating and the surface grating in azobenzene polymer films were studied. The photo-induced birefringence (about 0.02 at 633 nm) was investigated at various intensities of laser (532 nm) beam. The effect of laser-induced heating has been introduced to the processes of photo-induced reorientation in azo polymer. The holographic grating period and the peak-to-peak value of the sinusoidal surface profile are 0.8 mm and 40 nm, respectively. The maximum diffractive efficiency of the grating is 2%. The mass diffusion responsible for the formation of the surface grating due to the temperature rise is analyzed.