Real-time holography with undeveloped dichromated gelatin films

Gelatin as a Photosensitive Material

Because this issue journal is dedicated to Gelatin, here we present a few applications of gelatin in the field of optics. Optics is the science that studies the production, propagation, interaction and detection of light. Various materials sensitive to light (photosensitive) are used for detection of light, such as photomultipliers, CCDs, crystals, two dimensional (2D) materials and more. Among the 2D materials, the most popular for several centuries has been gelatin based photographic emulsion, which records spatial distributions of light. More recently (1970), films made of Gelatin with Dichromate (DCG) and dyes have been used. We describe some characteristics and applications of these two photosensitive materials. We also describe examples where gelatin is used as a Relative Humidity (RH) sensor and in the fabrication of optical elements based on gelatin. This article is intended for researchers outside the optics community.

Dichromated pullulan diffraction gratings: influence of environmental conditions and storage time on their properties

Investigations of the environmental stability of diffraction gratings, recorded in dichromated pullulan (DCP), are reported. Profile changes of DCP surface relief gratings, under high humidity conditions, were analyzed using an atomic force microscope. It was found that the profile was not altered, while the diffraction efficiency was preserved. The influence of storage life on the diffraction efficiency and surface profile of DCP gratings were also investigated. It was concluded that DCP gratings offer much better stability compared with the dichromated gelatin.

Real-time and postprocessing holographic effects in dichromated pullulan

Experimental results concerning both real-time and postprocessing (after-development) behavior of a novel photosensitive material, dichromate-sensitized pullulan (DCP), are investigated. The exposure mechanism and possibilities for controlling holographic grating properties are discussed. We have shown that it is possible to maximize the diffraction efficiency of interference gratings after development by controlling diffraction efficiency in real time. Stronger real-time effects of DCP compared with those of dichromated gelatin are achieved.

Observation of a fast-formed absorption grating and a slowly formed phase grating in undeveloped dichromated gelatin

Real-time diffraction efficiency is measured during hologram formation in undeveloped dichromated gelatin (DCG) film. The main features of real-time diffraction efficiency of undeveloped DCG reveal double peaks with increasing exposure time. Adopting the grating translation technique, we show that the first peak originates from the absorption grating and that the latter is related to the phase grating. To explain such complicated hologram-formation dynamics, we present a phenomenological model for mixed gratings associated with photoinduced refractive-index changes and absorption changes. We have compared the model results with the experimental results, which show good agreement.

Methylene blue sensitized poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix: a novel holographic material

Methylene blue sensitized poly(methyl methacrylate) is shown to be an efficient medium for recording three-dimensional holographic gratings. Phase and/or amplitude holograms can be written in the methylene blue sensitized films of poly(methyl methacrylate) with a conventional source of light, a He-Ne laser operating at 632.8 nm. Diffraction efficiencies of 60% were found for thick holograms. Multiple holograms were recorded in the described system, and an optical erasing of holograms was achieved. Hologram recording speed was found to increase with temperature.

Transient gratings in dichromated sugar solutions

In this Technical Note we present the results when dichromated sugar solutions were used to record interference patterns. Transient behavior was noticed.

Methylene blue sensitized dichromated gelatin holograms: a study of their storage life and reprocessibility

The results of an experimental investigation on the storage life and reprocessibility of methylene blue sensitized dichromated gelatin (MBDCG) holograms are reported. The major conclusions of the investigation are: (i) Storage of MBDCG holograms in normal laboratory conditions for long periods is possible and it diminishes somewhat their diffraction efficiency. (ii) The results on short time storage and long time storage are almost similar, thus indicating that the diffraction efficiency can be stabilized through storage in a relatively short period of time. (iii) The deterioration in the diffraction efficiency on storage is less [D(eta) < 20%] for gratings of low/medium initial efficiency (eta < 70%) and it is more for gratings of high initial efficiency. (iv) About 65-95% restoration of the diffraction efficiency can be accomplished through reprocessing. (v) The restoration of diffraction efficiency is almost perfect [R(eta) > 80%] for gratings of low/medium initial efficiency (eta <75%) whereas it is rather imperfect for gratings having high initial efficiency.