Acrylate Oligomer-Based Photopolymers for Optical Storage Applications

Photopolymers are attractive candidates for high-density holographic data storage because of their high sensitivity and refractive index contrast. We have incorporated several high-index organic monomers into high optical quality acrylate oligomer-based formulations. Using reactivity ratios, reaction kinetics, and component refractive indices as guidelines, a 6-fold increase in Δn has been achieved compared to an initial all-acrylate formulation. Samples prepared from these formulations have been used to write and read >200 high-quality holograms in a given volume of material. This is the first time a photopolymeric medium has successfully been used to multiplex this number of holograms. Using these resins, a protocol for the evaluation of photopolymers as holographic media has been developed.