Holographic grating formation in laser-deposited aluminium-doped zinc oxide and indium tin oxide films

Holographic grating formation is demonstrated in films of the transparent a nd semiconducting materials aluminium-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and indium tin oxide (ITO) produced by pulsed laser deposition. The holographic gratings are induced by UV laser light at 356 nm. The physics and characteristics of grating formation in laser-deposited AZO and ITO films are compared with t hose of sputter-deposited indium oxide and ITO films, which have been previ ously used as holographic recorders. it is found that the optical response of laser-deposited AZO films are superior to that of ITO films. The AZO fil ms exhibited an average transmission in the visible wavelength range of ove r 90%, and grating diffraction efficiencies of 3 x 10(-6) in 200 nm thick f ilms.