Real-time holographic reflection gratings in volume media of azo-dye-doped poly(methyl methacrylate)

Real-time formation of holographic reflection gratings is experimentally demonstrated in thick media of Disperse Red 1- (DR-1) doped poly(methyl methacrylate) at a nonresonant wavelength (647 nm). Our diffraction efficiencies of 30% and 23% are achieved for reflection gratings inscribed by spatial modulation of intensity and polarization, respectively, and are believed to be the highest achieved for a dye-doped polymer. In addition to the recording of amplitude and phase, the polarization state is also recorded and reconstructed.