Holographic recording sensitivity enhancement of ZrO2 nanoparticle-polymer composites by hydrogen donor and acceptor agents

We demonstrate holographic recording in surface-modified ZrO2 nanoparticle-polymer composites and their recording sensitivity enhancement in the green by hydrogen donor and acceptor agents, N-phenylglycine (NPG) and 3,3'-bismethoxycarbonyl-4,4'-tert-butyl peroxycarbonyl benzophenone (BT2). It is shown that the refractive index modulation and the recording sensitivity increase by factors of approximately 2 and 9, respectively, at a recording intensity of 10 mW cm(-2) as compared to those of our previously reported ZrO2 nanoparticle-polymer composites (Suzuki et al 2006 Opt. Express 14 12712). It is also shown that the incorporation of NPG and BT2 into the new composites does not substantively increase light absorption on recording, but results in a further increase in the recording sensitivity by approximately a factor of 3 at low recording intensities (<= 10 mW cm(-2)).