We demonstrate holographic recording in a new photopolymer system. The reco
rding material is created by copolymerization of an optically inert monomer
, methyl methacrylate, and a second monomer that is optically sensitive. On
exposure of the recording material to light, a portion of the optically se
nsitive component detaches from the polymer matrix and causes hologram ampl
ification through diffusion of the free molecules. We measured postrecordin
g grating amplifications as high as 170% by this process. The recorded holo
grams are persistent at room temperature under continuous illumination at t
he recording wavelength. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America.