VOLUME HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGE STORAGE AND ELECTROOPTICAL READOUT IN A POLYMER-DISPERSED LIQUID-CRYSTAL FILM

We report storage and electrical switching of holographic image data i n an economical polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal material. The hologra m is recorded in a fast, single-step process and can be reversibly era sed and restored repeatedly by the application of fields of approximat ely 10-15 V/mu m, with a response time of 22 mu s and a relaxation tim e of 42 mu s. Simple (quasi-sinusoidal) holographic transmission grati ngs also are studied with switching fields of <5 V/mu m and with respo nse and relaxation times of 25 and 44 mu s, respectively.