Two wave mixing in holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) formation

The intensity of transmitted laser beams is monitored during the holographi c formation of polymer dispersed liquid crystal gratings. Significant atten uation of the total transmitted intensity is experienced after brief illumi nation. In most cases the attenuation increases for several seconds before reaching a steady-state value. Analysis of the individual beam intensities reveals energy exchange between the beams in a nonlinear two-wave mixing pr ocess. This information is analyzed to help gain insight into the complex d ynamics of H-PDLC formation.