Direct fabrication methods of surface relief electro-optic gratings in azo-polymer films

Two fabrication methods of surface relief electro-optic (EO) gratings in az o-polymer films are described: surface deformation by a continuous wave las er and laser ablation by a pulse laser. In the fabrication process, the per iodic intensity modulation of laser beams is formed by an interference frin ge or a phase mask. The surface relief EO grating is fabricated by poling t he surface relief grating (SRG) after the SRG fabrication process. The line ar dependence of an applied voltage in the modulation efficiency of the fir st order diffraction beam is observed. The proposed methods are effective f or highly-efficient surface relief EO grating fabrication.