Holographic scattering in SiO2 nanoparticle-dispersed photopolymer films

We describe an experimental study of holographic (coherent) scattering due to parasitic noise gratings recorded in SiO2 nanoparticle-dispersed photopolymer films. Dependences of film thickness and nanoparticle concentration on holographic scattering losses are evaluated. It is shown that the geometric feature of the holographic scattering pattern in the two-beam recording setup can be explained by the Ewald sphere construction. It is found that holographic scattering becomes noticeable when a film with nanoparticle concentrations higher than 10 vol.% is thicker than 100 mu m. The significance of holographic scattering in the characterization of a volume grating recorded in a thick (>100 mu m) nanoparticle-dispersed photopolymer film is also discussed. (C) 2007 Optical Society of America.