Characterization of optically imprinted polarization gratings

We provide detailed description and characterization of specifies of the imprinting technique for fabrication of large-area and high-efficiency liquid crystal polymer polarization gratings. We show that the quality of polarization gratings imprinted with linear polarized light is as high as that of gratings obtained in the holographic process, while exhibiting twice larger diffraction angle. The cycloidal polarization pattern used for imprinting is obtained from a master polarization grating, and the importance of fine tuning of its peak diffraction wavelength to the wavelength of imprinting radiation is emphasized. Tuning of the peak diffraction wavelength of imprinted polarization gratings from UV to near IR was realized with the aid of multilayer structures. Since the imprinting process does not involve a holographic setup, it is insensitive to ambient conditions and vibrations and provides an opportunity for large scale production of polarization gratings. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America