Red light holographic recording and readout on an azobenzene-LC polymer hybrid composite system

Abstract We present for the first time stable red light two-dimensional image holographic recording in azobenzene-containing polymer-liquid crystal material following a pre-illumination process. The red light hologram recording is based on cis-to-trans transition of the azobenzene and surrounding LC reorientation. The diffraction efficiency of about 2% has been achieved and clear holograms of a commercial 2D USAF resolution target have been recorded. Using the same readout wavelength as the recording wavelength, color distortion that exists in most hologram researches with azo-containing materials is naturally eliminated. Long-time stabilities such as one-day continuous non-destructive readout and up to 10 weeks hologram storage have been demonstrated. The holographic recording material remains erasable and rewritable.