Polarization properties of volume holograms

Abstract

The polarization properties of volume holograms are investigated theoretically and experimentally. Various coupled wave theories are applied to investigate the polarization characteristics of volume holograms in different diffraction regime, and first-order two-wave coupled theory is used to predict a series of useful polarization dependent optical devices. An effective medium theory treatment of volume holograms is developed to treat gratings with periods much smaller than the wavelength. Rigorous coupled wave theory is used to explore experimentally obtained results and verify theories explaining the deviation of the real behavior of volume holograms from their ideal behavior. Volume holograms are fabricated in dichromated gelatin as polarization modifying optical components.