Comparative characteristics of azopolymers: synthesis, optical and recording properties

Photosensitive azopolymers that have holographic level of resolution and selective absorption in the visible spectrum of light are promising medium for recording holographic optical elements. In this report, we presented azopolymers that enables the direct holographic recording to form diffraction gratings with high diffraction efficiency. A synthesis method of azopolymers of the composition poly-N- epoxypropylcarbazole with chromophores 2-[N-ethyl-4-[(4-nitrophenyl)diazenyl]anilino] ethanol (Disperse Red 1) and 4- (4-Nitrophenylazo)aniline (Disperse Orange 3) is discussed. The optical and recording properties of azo-polymers depending on the type of chromophore were studied. The interference pattern was calculated and the kinetics of the formation of holographic gratings for various polarization states of the recording beams was studied. The diffraction efficiency of the grating in the first diffraction order was monitored during recording and the optimal polarization states of beams were determined to achieve maximum diffraction efficiency.