Abstract

We have performed a detailed comparison of the predictions of coupled-wave theories of isotropic and anisotropic volume gratings. It is shown that material birefringence can dramatically modify the diffractive properties of volume gratings. The predictions of the coupled-wave theories have also been compared with the diffractive properties of volume gratings fabricated with polymer-dispersed liquid crystals. It is shown that a coupled-wave theory that includes the effects of the birefringence of the liquid crystal must be used to explain the diffraction properties of these highly anisotropic gratings. Information can be obtained about the alignment of the liquid crystal within the composite gratings from comparisons of theory and experiment.

© 2002 Optical Society of America

Diffraction properties of highly birefringent liquid-crystal composite gratings

James J. Butler and Michelle S. Malcuit
Opt. Lett. 25(6) 420-422 (2000)

Polarization and switching properties of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal gratings. I. Theoretical model

Richard L. Sutherland
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 19(12) 2995-3003 (2002)

Polarization and switching properties of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal gratings. II. Experimental investigations

Richard L. Sutherland, Lalgudi V. Natarajan, Vince P. Tondiglia, Suresh Chandra, Christina K. Shepherd, Donna M. Brandelik, Stephen A. Siwecki, and Timothy J. Bunning
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 19(12) 3004-3012 (2002)

Electro-optic properties of switchable gratings made of polymer and nematic liquid-crystal slices

A. d’Alessandro, R. Asquini, C. Gizzi, R. Caputo, C. Umeton, A. Veltri, and A. V. Sukhov
Opt. Lett. 29(12) 1405-1407 (2004)

Determination of small anisotropy of holographic phase gratings

D. E. Lucchetta, L. Criante, and F. Simoni
Opt. Lett. 28(9) 725-727 (2003)