Thick dye-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) films for real-time holography

Molding and direct-polymerization techniques are used for the fabrication o f holographic materials based on dye-doped poly(methyl methacrylate). The t hickness of the samples obtained ranges from several micrometers to several millimeters. Pump-signal cross modulation is studied experimentally, and p hotophysical mechanisms responsible for refractive-index and absorption cha nges are discussed. Self-developing intensity and polarization holographic recording capability, strong anisotropy of diffraction, and high angular se lectivity are demonstrated in thick samples. (C) 1998 Optical Society of Am erica.