Photorefractive Polymers with Non-Destructive Readout

Photorefractive polymers are suitable for real‐time holographic applications. Since the recording and readout of a hologram is carried out with laser beams with the same wavelength, the readout process partially erases the stored information, a problem common to all current photorefractive materials and referred to as destructive readout. In this paper we describe photorefractive polymers that are sensitized by two‐photon absorption. Holographic recording is achieved with high‐intensity writing beams and readout using low light intensity, but high power beams. Using this nonlinear recording scheme, non‐destructive readout was demonstrated. Photorefractive polymers that are sensitized by two‐photon absorption are described. Holographic recording is achieved with high‐intensity writing beams and readout is carried out using low light intensity, but high power beams. Using this nonlinear recording scheme, non‐destructive readout is demonstrated. The Figure juxtaposes examples of photorefractive polymers that were sensitized by one‐photon and two‐photon absorption.