High resolution polarization gratings in liquid crystals

Abstract
Efficient recording of polarizationgratings in dye-doped liquid crystals is reported. By exploiting the effect of light-induced anchoring of the molecular director, it has been possible to write stable holographic gratings with a diffraction efficiency of 8% at a resolution of 1000 lines/mm. The required surfaceenergy density of 0.3 J/cm 2 sets these materials among the most sensitive for optical storage.