Self-developing, glycerin-containing, thick-layer bichromated gelatin as amedium for recording volume holograms

The synthesis of layers of glycerin-containing, self-developing bichromated gelatin between 100 and 500 mu m thick is described and the holographic ch aracteristics of this light-sensitive material are discussed. Experimental data obtained by measuring the diffraction efficiency of holograms of two p lane waves recorded using a symmetric system for layers of different thickn ess and various ammonium bichromate concentrations showed that the optimum layers for hologram recording are around 200 mu m thick and have an ammoniu m bichromate concentration of 2-2.5% by weight of dry gelatin. The sensitiv ity of these layers is 5-10 J/cm(2). (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics . [S1063-7850(99)01203-3].