Green and red laser holographic recording in different glassy azocompounds

Abstract Holographic grating recording at 532 nm and 632.8 nm has been studied in five types of glassy molecular azocompound films. AFM and SEM measurements have been made. It was found that optimal azocompound structure depends on the recording wavelength, light polarization and readout mode. For the given sample recording efficiency depends not only on recording and readout wavelength but also on readout mode. Recording with p-polarized light is much more efficient than with s-polarized light. Introduction of Si atoms in organic glass molecules can improve the recording efficiency. Fast and slow recording mechanisms exist. Slow mechanism includes photoinduced mass transfer in both green and red light recording cases. Evidence of red light induced trans–cis photoisomerization is found. Other recording mechanisms also take place.