Direct fabrication of surface relief holographic diffusers in azobenzene polymer films

We propose a direct fabrication of light diffusers using azobenzene polymer films. Holographic recordings of surface relief diffusers are formed on the polymer film by exposure to an Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) through source diffusion materials. No post-treatment is needed, and it can be erased by heating or irradiating uniform laser beam. Diffusion pattern can be controlled by the polarization of the laser, Transmittance of over 88% is obtained at the wavelength of 633nm. (c) 2005 The Optical Society of Japan.