Guided mode resonance filters using polymer films

Guided-mode resonance optical filters are made from thin-film structures which consist of azopolymer films deposited on top of slab waveguides. Surface relief gratings can be optically induced on the azopolymer films. The transmission and reflection spectra as a function of the angle of incidence of the probe beam exhibit very sharp resonance features which correspond to coupling into the waveguide modes. Coupling into the overlying azopolymer film is also observed.