Thick dye-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) films for real-time holography

Molding and direct-polymerization techniques are used for the fabrication of holographic materials based on dye-doped poly(methyl methacrylate). The thickness of the samples obtained ranges from several micrometers to several millimeters. Pump-signal cross modulation is studied experimentally, and photophysical mechanisms responsible for refractive-index and absorption changes are discussed. Self-developing intensity and polarization holographic recording capability, strong anisotropy of diffraction, and high angular selectivity are demonstrated in thick samples.