Spectral analysis of shrinkage in holographic materials suitable for optical storage applications

The aim of this work is to understand the effects of the shrinkage phenomenon in H-PDLC reflection gratings through the realtime analysis of their transmission spectra during the recording process. The realtime spectroscopic analysis of the samples showed a light intensity dependent free-radical polymerization indicated by a quick growth of the reflection peak whose corresponding diffraction efficiency, measured at normal incidence, is in the range of 40%-45% depending on the photopolymerization conditions. An optical shrinkage corresponding to a 4.3% displacement of the reflected wavelength from the expected value has been detected. This value of the shrinkage is in agreement to that mesaured in a similar system.