2C06 Formation of Gratings in Polymer Azobenzene Liquid Crystal Films by Means of Polarization Holography

Abstract

Polarization grating was formed in polymer azobenzene liquid crystal films. Two beams of an Argon-ion laser (488nm) under different polarization combination were interfered in the film, and the intensity of the first order diffraction light of a He-Ne laser beam (633nm) was measured. Gratings recorded under (+45, -45) combination of writing beams showed high diffraction efficiency (〜27%) with slight surface modulation (〜80nm). It was revealed that the gratings consist of the periodic molecular arrangement of the azobenzen moieties.