A new multiplexing schedule is derived for multiplexing holograms in photor
efractive polymers which do not exhibit mono-exponential recording behavior
. An M-number (M/#) of 0.3 was measured experimentally by recording 20 holo
grams of roughly equal strength in a single location of 125-mum-thick mater
ial using peristrophic multiplexing. The effects of hologram dark-decay on
the time-evolution of the M/# and the relative strengths of individual holo
grams is investigated. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.