Photochemically deposited surface relief gratings of an azo-dye-labeled phospholipid from the aqueous phase

Surface relief holographic gratings are fabricated on the polybutadiene-coated walls of a cell filled with an aqueous solution of an azo-dye-labeled phospholipid. A low power (2 mW) 488 nm argon ion laser wavelength is used. Laser-excited azo dye reacts to produce a permanent surface-relief pattern on the polybutadiene substrate. Gratings are recorded for varying concentrations of the phospholipid solution as well as laser intensity. Lithographic masks are used to show that the photochemical pattern on the substrate is an exact replica of the light intensity distribution, and so the technique can be used for holographic recording as well as for biomolecular applications.