Self-Imaging Holographic Optical Waveguides

Periodic structures exhibit an effect known as self-imaging[1-3]. The complex, amplitude distribution of the field, u(x,y,z) is self-similar such that, u(x,y,z) = u(x,y,z + L s ). Here we address self-imaging by use of transverse gratings which extend throughout the entire waveguide (Figure 1). By use of photolithographic techniques in photopolymers, one has a simple means to match waves having dissimilar propagation constants without much loss.