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In this study we investigated the undesired but possible fringe formation during the recording of large size holographic optical elements (HOE) using a dry photopolymer. We identified the deformation of the recording element during hologram exposure as the main source for this fringe formation. This deformation is caused mainly by the one-sided heating of the recording element, namely, the dry photopolymer–recording plate stack. It turned out that the main source for this heating was the heat of polymerization in the dry photopolymer released during the exposure interval. These insights were translated into a physical model with which quantitative predictions about thermal fringe formation can be made depending on the actual HOE recording geometry, recording conditions and characteristics of the dry photopolymer. Using this model, different types of large size HOEs, used as components to generate a steerable confined view box for a 23” diagonal size display demonstrator, could be recorded successfully without thermal fringe formation. Key strategies to avoid thermal fringe formation deduced from this model include balancing the ratio of lateral recording plate dimension R to its thickness h, recording the power density P or equivalently the exposure time texp at a fixed recording dosage E, and most importantly recording the the linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the recording plate material. Suitable glass plates with extremely low CTE were identified and used for recording of the above-mentioned HOEs.

Bayfol® HX photopolymer films prove themselves as easy-to-process recording materials for volume holographic optical elements (vHOEs) and are available in customized grades at industrial scale. Their full-color (RGB) recording and replay capabilities are two of their major advantages. Moreover, the adjustable diffraction efficiency, tunable angular and spectral selectivity of vHOEs recorded into Bayfol® HX as well as their unmatched optical clarity enables superior invisible “off Bragg” optical functionality. As a film product, the replication of vHOEs in Bayfol® HX can be carried out in a highly cost-efficient and purely photonic roll-to-roll (R2R) process. Utilizing thermoplastic substrates, Bayfol® HX was demonstrated to be compatible to state-of-the-art plastic processing techniques like thermoforming, film insert molding and casting, all enabled using a variety of industry-proven integration technologies for vHOEs. Therefore, Bayfol® HX made its way in applications in the field of augmented reality such as Head-up-Displays (HUD) and Headmounted- Displays (HMD), in free-space combiners, in plastic optical waveguides, and in transparent screens. Also, vHOEs made from Bayfol® HX are utilized in highly sophisticated spectrometers in astronomy as well as in narrow band notch filters for eyeglasses against laser strikes. Based on a well-established toolbox, Bayfol® HX can be adopted for a variety of applications. To further offer access to more applications in sensing and continuously improve the performance in existing applications, we recently extended our chemical toolbox to address both the sensitization beyond RGB into the Near Infrared Region (NIR) and increase the achievable index modulation Δn1 beyond 0.06. In this paper, we will report on our latest developments in these fields.

Bayfol® HX photopolymer films prove themselves as easy-to-process recording materials for volume holographic optical elements (vHOEs) and are available in customized grades at industrial scale. Their full-color (RGB) recording and replay capabilities are two of their major advantages. Moreover, the adjustable diffraction efficiency, tunable angular and spectral selectivity of vHOEs recorded into Bayfol® HX as well as their unmatched optical clarity enables superior invisible “off Bragg” optical functionality. As a film product, the replication of vHOEs in Bayfol® HX can be carried out in a highly cost-efficient and purely photonic roll-to-roll (R2R) process. Utilizing thermoplastic substrates, Bayfol® HX was demonstrated to be compatible to state-of-the-art plastic processing techniques like thermoforming, film insert molding and casting, all enabled using a variety of industry-proven integration technologies for vHOEs. Therefore, Bayfol® HX made its way in applications in the field of augmented reality such as Head-up-Displays (HUD) and Headmounted- Displays (HMD), in free-space combiners, in plastic optical waveguides, and in transparent screens. Also, vHOEs made from Bayfol® HX are utilized in highly sophisticated spectrometers in astronomy as well as in narrow band notch filters for eyeglasses against laser strikes. Based on a well-established toolbox, Bayfol® HX can be adopted for a variety of applications. To further offer access to more applications in sensing and continuously improve the performance in existing applications, we recently extended our chemical toolbox to address both the sensitization beyond RGB into the Near Infrared Region (NIR) and increase the achievable index modulation un1 beyond 0.06. In this paper, we will report on our latest developments in these fields.

Bayfol® HX photopolymer films prove themselves as easy-to-process recording materials for volume holographic optical elements (vHOEs) and are available in customized grades at industrial scale. Their full-color (RGB) recording and replay capabilities are two of their major advantages. Moreover, the adjustable diffraction efficiency, tunable angular and spectral selectivity of vHOEs recorded into Bayfol® HX as well as their unmatched optical clarity enables superior invisible "off Bragg" optical functionality. As a film product, the replication of vHOEs in Bayfol® HX can be carried out in a highly cost-efficient and purely photonic roll-to-roll (R2R) process. Utilizing thermoplastic substrates, Bayfol® HX was demonstrated to be compatible to state-of-the-art plastic processing techniques like thermoforming, film insert molding and casting, all enabled using a variety of industry-proven integration technologies for vHOEs. Therefore, Bayfol® HX made its way in applications in the field of augmented reality such as Head-up-Displays (HUD) and Headmounted- Displays (HMD), in free-space combiners, in plastic optical waveguides, and in transparent screens. Also, vHOEs made from Bayfol® HX are utilized in highly sophisticated spectrometers in astronomy as well as in narrow band notch filters for eyeglasses against laser strikes. Based on a well-established toolbox, Bayfol® HX can be adopted for a variety of applications. To further offer access to more applications in sensing and continuously improve the performance in existing applications, we recently extended our chemical toolbox to address both the sensitization beyond RGB into the Near Infrared Region (NIR) and increase the achievable index modulation un1 beyond 0.06. In this paper, we will report on our latest developments in these fields.

Bayfol HX photopolymer films prove themselves as easy-to-process recording materials for volume holographic optical elements (vHOEs) and are available at industrial scale. Their full-color (RGB) recording and replay capabilities are two of their major advantages. Bayfol HX is compatible to plastic processing techniques like thermoforming, film insert molding and casting. Therefore, Bayfol HX made its way in applications in the field of augmented reality such as Head-up-Displays (HUD) and Head-mounted-Displays (HMD), in free-space combiners, in plastic optical waveguides, and in transparent screens. Bayfol HX can be adopted for a variety of applications. To offer access to more applications, we address the sensitization into the Near Infrared Region (NIR) and increase the achievable index modulation Δn1 beyond 0.06. In this paper, we will report on our latest developments in these fields.

See-through optical components are being intensively studied in applications such as Head-up-displays (HUD) and Head-mounted-displays (HMD). In particular, volume holographic optical elements (vHOE) have received a lot of attention due to their unique optical (angular and spectral selectivity) and mechanical (lightweight and thin) characteristics which make them perfectly suitable for use in integrated optical components like spectacle lenses and car windshields. Bayfol® HX photopolymer films prove themselves as easy to process recording materials for vHOEs. The Bayfol® HX instantly developing holographic photopolymer film provides full color capability and adjustable diffraction efficiency as well as an unprecedented optical clarity when compared to classical volume holographic recording materials like silver halide emulsions (AgX) or dichromated gelatin (DCG). Besides the recording step, no pre- or postprocessing is necessary and easy mass production of vHOEs in a completely dry roll to roll process is possible. The layout of a typical Bayfol® HX film consists of a light-sensitive photopolymer layer coated onto a transparent substrate and protected on the other side by a cover film. The substrate is particularly beneficial, not only for easy handling of the film during holographic recording, but also for further mechanical processing steps which are required to embed the film into a finished optical component. However for certain applications it is desirable to remove the substrate before or after recording. This will allow the user to make full use of the high flexibility of the photopolymer layer, for example if it comes to curved surfaces that have to be covered. Also more complex stack geometries can be realized in which the photopolymer layer could be embedded in optically well designed cavities or mechanically demanding setups. To facilitate this, we developed Bayfol® HX film grades in which the substrate has a lower adhesion to the photopolymer layer compared to the protective cover film. Therefor the substrate can be removed first in contrast to existing Bayfol® HX film grades which only allow to remove the protective cover film. On the other hand the adhesion of the protective cover film can also be well controlled, so that it can be specifically selected according to the needs of the surface to which the photopolymer layer has to be transferred to. In this paper we demonstrate versatile application processes making use of these transfer grades of Bayfol® HX films with respect to adhesion design, integration in complex stacks and application on curved surfaces.

See-through optical components are being intensively studied in applications such as Head-up-displays (HUD) and Head-mounted-displays (HMD). In particular, volume holographic optical elements (vHOE) have received a lot of attention due to their unique optical (angular and spectral selectivity) and mechanical (lightweight and thin) characteristics which make them perfectly suitable for use in integrated optical components like spectacle lenses and car windshields. Bayfol® HX photopolymer films prove themselves as easy to process recording materials for vHOEs. The Bayfol® HX instantly developing holographic photopolymer film provides full color capability and adjustable diffraction efficiency as well as an unprecedented optical clarity when compared to classical volume holographic recording materials like silver halide emulsions (AgX) or dichromated gelatin (DCG). Besides the recording step, no pre- or postprocessing is necessary and easy mass production of vHOEs in a completely dry roll to roll process is possible. The layout of a typical Bayfol® HX film consists of a light-sensitive photopolymer layer coated onto a transparent substrate and protected on the other side by a cover film. The substrate is particularly beneficial, not only for easy handling of the film during holographic recording, but also for further mechanical processing steps which are required to embed the film into a finished optical component. However for certain applications it is desirable to remove the substrate before or after recording. This will allow the user to make full use of the high flexibility of the photopolymer layer, for example if it comes to curved surfaces that have to be covered. Also more complex stack geometries can be realized in which the photopolymer layer could be embedded in optically well designed cavities or mechanically demanding setups. To facilitate this, we developed Bayfol® HX film grades in which the substrate has a lower adhesion to the photopolymer layer compared to the protective cover film. Therefor the substrate can be removed first in contrast to existing Bayfol® HX film grades which only allow to remove the protective cover film. On the other hand the adhesion of the protective cover film can also be well controlled, so that it can be specifically selected according to the needs of the surface to which the photopolymer layer has to be transferred to. In this paper we demonstrate versatile application processes making use of these transfer grades of Bayfol® HX films with respect to adhesion design, integration in complex stacks and application on curved surfaces.

See-through optical components are being intensively studied in applications such as Head-Up-Displays (HUD) and Head-Mounted-Displays (HMD). In particular, volume holographic optical elements (vHOE) have received a lot of attention due to their unique optical (angular and spectral selectivity) and mechanical (lightweight and thin) characteristics which make them perfectly suitable for use in integrated optical components like spectacle lenses and car windshields. Bayfol® HX photopolymer films prove themselves as easy to process recording materials for vHOEs. The Bayfol® HX instant developing holographic photopolymer film provides full color capability and adjustable diffraction efficiency as well as an unprecedented optical clarity when compared to classical volume holographic recording materials like silver halide emulsions (AgX) or dichromated gelatin (DCG). Besides the recording step, no pre- or postprocessing is necessary and easy mass production of vHOEs in a completely dry roll to roll process is possible. The layout of a typical Bayfol® HX film consists of a light-sensitive photopolymer layer coated onto a transparent thermoplastic substrate. This substrate is particularly beneficial, not only for easy handling of the film during holographic recording, but also for further mechanical processing steps which are required to embed the film into a finished optical component. Once holograms have been recorded and the film has been bleached with incoherent light, the Bayfol® HX film becomes inert and can be further processed in normal daylight. Moreover, the presence of a thermoplastic substrate makes the film attractive for use in manufacturing processes such as injection molding, thermoforming, casting, etc…, typically used to fabricate parts for the automotive, eyewear and ID-card industry. Being compatible with these industrial processes is an essential feature for the widespread of immersive Augmented Reality displays based on volume holographic optical elements recorded into Bayfol® HX films. In this paper we investigated the compatibility of holograms made with Bayfol® HX film with some of the integration processes typically used in the plastic and optical components industry and which are necessary for embedding the holographic films into a finished product.

Self-developing photopolymers are crucial materials for making high efficiency volume holograms. A key feature is the tuning of the refractive index modulation (Δn), but at the same time, it is crucial to minimize the light scattering which reduces the efficiency and increase the unwanted light. Here, we study Bayfol® HX materials in terms of scattering formation and control of the Δn by means the realization of Volume Phase Holographic Gratings (VPHGs), which are intended for the application in spectroscopic instrumentation. We highlight the dependency of the Δn and scattering with the laser light intensity, showing that the increase of the intensity reduces the amount of scattering. In addition, the fine tuning of the Δn with the incoherent light pre- and co-exposure is studied and the full dynamic range can be addressed controlling the scattering. A modified diffusion model is also used to describe and predict the experimental results.

Photopolymer films (Bayfol® HX) have been recently introduced into the market place and prove themselves as easy to process for volume holographic optical element (vHOE) recording. The new Bayfol® HX instant developing holographic photopolymer film provides full color capability and adjustable diffraction efficiency as well as an unprecedented optical clarity when compared to classical volume holographic recording materials like silver halide emulsions (AgHX) or dichromated gelatin (DCG). Besides the recording step no pre- or post-processing is necessary and easy mass production of vHOEs in a completely dry roll to roll process is possible. Due to the nature of vHOEs, multiplexing recording can be used to superimpose multiple optical functions in a single layer. This enables to merge angular wise precise full color diffractive combiner optics in one layer by spectral multiplexing, like RGB recording in Bayfol® HX film. Further optical sensing functions may be added by additional angular multiplexing. For reflection type vHOE recording the necessity of additional partial reflective layers or using total internal reflection (TIR) in a light guide becomes obsolete. Obviously, these unique properties of vHOEs could significantly simplify the layer structure of immersive displays like in Head-Mounted-Displays (HMD) and Head-Up- Displays (HUD). In this paper we investigate and demonstrate wavelength multiplexing recording in Bayfol® HX film with a specific focus on the design of the optical recording setup and its system and stability margins. Well controlled RGB recording power conditions enable high repeatability over extended operation periods of the RGB efficiency balance of reflective vHOEs.

Head-up-displays (HUD) and head-mounted-displays (HMD) have in common to utilize an optical combiner for electronic image creation in a see-through optical setup. Volume holographical optical elements (vHOE) appeal to system designers by their lightweight, thin film construction that also enables concepts to integrate those into lens or windshield manufacturing. vHOEs can be customized towards optical system requirements through their adaptable angular and spectral Bragg selectivity, while also diffraction efficiencies can be widely chosen to meet the overall optical specifications. Photopolymer films (Bayfol® HX film) have been recently introduced into the market place and prove themselves as easy to process materials. In this paper we investigate the impact of incoherent pre-exposure, which is a technique that can be used to overcome oxygen inhibition in a very convenient way. Incoherent light also can be used to reduce the dynamic range of the photopolymer film to fine tune diffraction efficiency and reduce over-modulation of transmission HOEs. Another interesting aspect is to minimize coherent media scatter that can occur at long exposure times. So reduction of the overall applied coherent light dosage is the key here. Incoherent pre-exposure therefore should be considered as an integral part of a holographer’s toolset to perfect the recording results for vHOEs.

Holographic photopolymers are a new technology to create passive diffractive optical elements by a pure laser interference recording. In this review, we explain the chemistry concepts of light harvesting in an interference pattern and the subsequent grating formation as chemical response. Using the example of the newly developed Bayfol® HX film we discuss the reaction-diffusion driven photo-polymerization process for an index modulation formation to create volume phase gratings. Further we elucidate the selection of monomer chemistry and discuss details of the recording conditions based on the concept of exposure dosage and exposure time. Influences ranging from high dosage recording to low power recording are explained and how to affect the desired diffraction efficiency. Finally, we outline and demonstrate the process to mass manufacturing of volume phase gratings.

The main function of any augmented reality system is to seamlessly merge the real world perception of a viewer with computer generated images and information. Besides real-time head-tracking and room-scanning capabilities the combiner optics, which optically merge the natural with the artificial visual information, represent a key component for those systems. Various types of combiner optics are known to the industry, all with their specific advantages and disadvantages. Beside the well-established solutions based on refractive optics or surface gratings, volume Holographic Optical Elements (vHOEs) are a very attractive alternative in this field. The unique characteristics of these diffractive grating structures - being lightweight, thin, flat and invisible in Off Bragg conditions - make them perfectly suitable for their use in integrated and compact combiners. For any consumer application it is paramount to build unobtrusive and lightweight augmented reality displays, for which those volume holographic combiners are ideally suited. Due to processing challenges of (historic) holographic recording materials mass production of vHOE holographic combiners was not possible. Therefore vHOE based combiners found use in military applications only by now. The new Bayfol® HX instant developing holographic photopolymer film provides an ideal technology platform to optimize the performance of vHOEs in a wide range of applications. Bayfol® HX provides full color capability and adjustable diffraction efficiency as well as an unprecedented optical clarity when compared to classical holographic recording materials like silver halide emulsions (AgHX) or dichromated gelatin (DCG). Bayfol® HX film is available in industrial scale and quality. Its properties can be tailored for various diffractive performances and integration methods. Bayfol® HX film is easy to process without any need for chemical or thermal development steps, offering simplified contact-copy mass production schemes.

Volume Holographic Optical Elements (vHOEs) gained wide attention as optical combiners for the use in smart glasses and augmented reality (SG and AR, respectively) consumer electronics and automotive head-up display applications. The unique characteristics of these diffractive grating structures – being lightweight, thin and flat – make them perfectly suitable for use in integrated optical components like spectacle lenses and car windshields. While being transparent in Off-Bragg condition, they provide full color capability and adjustable diffraction efficiency. The instant developing photopolymer Bayfol® HX film provides an ideal technology platform to optimize the performance of vHOEs in a wide range of applications. Important for any commercialization are simple and robust mass production schemes. In this paper, we present an efficient and easy to control one-beam recording scheme to copy a so-called master vHOE in a step-and-repeat process. In this contact-copy scheme, Bayfol® HX film is laminated to a master stack before being exposed by a scanning laser line. Subsequently, the film is delaminated in a controlled fashion and bleached. We explain working principles of the one-beam copy concept, discuss the opto-mechanical construction and outline the downstream process of the installed vHOE replication line. Moreover, we focus on aspects like performance optimization of the copy vHOE, the bleaching process and the suitable choice of protective cover film in the re-lamination step, preparing the integration of the vHOE into the final device.

Volume Holographic Optical Elements (vHOEs) gained wide attention as optical combiners for the use in augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR, respectively) consumer electronics and automotive head-up display applications. The unique characteristics of these diffractive grating structures – being lightweight, thin and flat – make them perfectly suitable for use in integrated optical components like spectacle lenses and car windshields. While being transparent in Off-Bragg condition, they provide full color capability and adjustable diffraction efficiency. The instant developing photopolymer Bayfol® HX film provides an ideal technology platform to optimize the performance of vHOEs in a wide range of applications. Important for any commercialization are simple and robust mass production schemes. In this paper, we present an efficient and easy to control one-beam recording scheme to copy a so-called master vHOE in a step-and-repeat process. In this contact-copy scheme, Bayfol® HX film is laminated to a master stack before being exposed by a scanning laser line. Subsequently, the film is delaminated in a controlled fashion and bleached. We explain working principles of the one-beam copy concept and discuss the mechanical construction of the installed vHOE replication line. Moreover, we treat aspects like master design, effects of vibration and suppression of noise gratings. Furthermore, digital vHOEs are introduced as master holograms. They enable new ways of optical design and paths to large scale vHOEs.

Optimization of holography recording in photo- polymers was studied from the point of view of a quite gen- eral process, that is, the photogeneration of radicals. On the basis of a dye/coinitiator photoinitiating system, the effect of primary events and their relative efficiency was investigat- ed with respect to the final overall properties, such as the diffraction efficiency. Quenching of the dye excited states by the borate salts coinitiators exhibits important differences depending on the dye used (Rose Bengal or Safranine O). Keeping in mind that both singlet and triplet states of the dyes can react, and taking into account the viscosity of the matrix, a method to evaluate the overall quantum yield of radicals released is proposed. It is found that this quantum yield well correlates with the maximum rate of photopoly- merization. More interestingly, the dose required to obtain a given diffraction efficiency was found to be also governed by the radical quantum yield, showing that the final proper- ty is directly governed by primary events. This shed some light on the efficiency of photochemical pathway to gener- ate radicals for use in organic or polymer areas.

The versatility of Volume Holographic Optical Elements (vHOE) is high, especially because of their tunable angular and spectral Bragg selectivity. Those unique lightweight, thin and flat optical elements are enabled by the new instant developing photopolymer film Bayfol® HX technology, which allows to mass produce cost effective diffractive optics due to its simplified and robust holographic recording process. From a pure scientific point of view volume holography is well established. In practice though, commercially available optical design software is not adapted to handle the specific characteristics of photopolymer diffractive optical elements and their recording. To achieve high quality vHOE precision optics, the recording setup needs to accommodate several aspects that will be covered in this paper. We report on means how to deal with photopolymer shrinkage and average refractive index changes of the recording media. An important part in diffractive optics design is the compensation of different conditions between the holographic recording setup and in a final product containing the vHOE. Usually substrates might need to be changed (in material, in refractive index) as well the illumination sources are using incoherent light having angular and spectral emission profiles with finite bandwidth. Recently special in- and out-coupling vHOEs are becoming attractive e.g. in near eye displays and in compact lighting devices. We will report on design considerations and adjustments to the recording condition for a specific in-coupling vHOE and demonstrate the effects of pre-compensation on this example.

The new photopolymers for holographic applications described herein are based on a cross-linked matrix in which the holographic grating is formed by photopolymerization of guest monomers in an interference pattern of the recording light. Diffusion of monomer, triggered by this photo-polymerization, from the dark to the bright fringes of the interference pattern is the key parameter for creating high modulation in refractive index Δn during hologram recording. This leads to bright visual volume holograms with high diffraction efficiency. The holographic photopolymers are self-processing. After recording the hologram only (incoherent) light exposure is necessary to bleach the final product and fix the hologram. Unlike earlier photopolymers used in holography, these new materials offer the advantages of no chemical or thermal processing combined with low shrinkage and detuning. Additionally, due to good light sensitivity the formation of the holograms is fast and the film obtained after curing is highly transparent, which makes the material suitable for both, reflection and transmission holography.

For a long time volume Holographic Optical Elements (vHOE) have been discussed as an alternative, but were hampered by a lack of suitable materials. They provide several benefits over surface corrugated diffractive optical element like high diffraction efficiency due to their ability to reconstruct a single diffraction order, freedom of optical design by freely setting the replay angles and adjusting their bandwidth by a selection of the vHOE’s thickness. Additional interesting features are related to their high Bragg selectivity providing transparent films for off-Bragg illumination. In this paper we report on our newly developed photopolymer film technology (Bayfol® HX) that uniquely requires no post processing after holographic exposure. We explain the governing non-local polymerization driven diffusion process leading to an active mass transport triggered by constructive interference. Key aspects of the recording process and their impact on index modulation formation is discussed. The influence on photopolymer film thickness on the bandwidth is shown. A comparison between coupled wave theory (CWT) simulation and experimental results is given. There are two basic recording geometries: reflection and transmission vHOEs. We explain consequences of how to record them properly and discuss in more detail the special challenges in transmission hologram recording. Here beam ratio and customization of photopolymer film properties can be applied most beneficially to achieve highest diffraction efficiency.

Volume Holographic Optical Elements (vHOEs) provide superior optical properties over DOEs (surface gratings) due to high diffraction efficiencies in the -1 st order and their excellent Bragg selectivity. Bayer MaterialScience is offering a variety of customized instant-developing photopolymer films to meet requirements for a specific optics design of a phase hologram. For instance, the photopolymer film thickness is an ideal means to adjust the angular and the spectral selectivity while the index modulation can be adopted with the film thickness to achieve a specific required dynamic range. This is especially helpful for transmission type holograms and in multiplex recordings. The selection of different substrates is helpful to achieve the overall optical properties for a targeted application that we support in B2B-focused developments. To provide further guidance on how to record volume holograms in Bayfol HX, we describe in this paper a new route towards the recording of substrate guided vHOEs by using optimized photopolymer films. Furthermore, we discuss special writing conditions that are suitable to create higher 2 nd harmonic intensities and their useful applications. Due to total internal reflection (TIR) at the photopolymer-air interface in substrate guided vHOEs, hologram recording with those large diffraction angles cannot usually be done with two free-space beams. Edge-lit recording setups are used to circumvent this limitation. However, such setups require bulky recording blocks or liquid bathes and are complex and hard to align. A different approach that we present in this paper is to exploit 2 nd harmonic grating generation in a freespace recording scheme. Those 2 nd harmonic components allow the replay of diffraction angles that are normally only accessible with edge-lit writing configurations. Therefore, this approach significantly simplifies master recordings for vHOEs with edge-lit functionalities, which later can be used in contact copy schemes for mass replication. In this paper, we will discuss and illustrate recording parameters to influence 2 nd harmonic efficiency in optimized photopolymer films and will explain preferred geometries for recording.

Volume Holographic Optical Elements (vHOE) offer angular and spectral Bragg selectivity that can be tuned by film thickness and holographic recording conditions. With the option to integrate complex optical function in a very thin plastic layer formerly heavy refractive optics can be made thin and lightweight especially for large area applications like liquid crystal displays, projection screens or photovoltaic. Additionally their Bragg selectivity enables the integration of several completely separated optical functions in the same film. The new instant developing photopolymer film (Bayfol® HX) paves the way towards new cost effective diffractive large optics, due to its easy holographic recording and environmental stability. A major bottleneck for large area applications has been the master hologram recording which traditionally needs expensive, large high precision optical equipment and high power laser with long coherence length. Further the recording setup needs to be rearranged for a change in optical design. In this paper we describe an alternative method for large area holographic master recording, using standard optics and low power lasers in combination with an x, y-translation stage. In this setup small sub-holograms generated by a phase only spatial light modulator (SLM) are recorded next to each other to generate a large size vHOE. The setup is flexible to generate various types of HOEs without the need of a change in the mechanical and optical construction by convenient SLM programming. One Application example and parameter studies for printed vHOEs based on Bayfol® HX Photopolymer will be given.

Miniaturization of optical components, specifically the reduction in thickness created by using planar optical devices, makes light manipulation by diffraction more and more attractive. Optical gratings based on volume Holographic Optical Elements (vHOEs) have the advantage over surface gratings as they reconstruct only a single diffraction order and hence provide high diffraction efficiencies, selectivity and remain fully transparent in the off-Bragg condition. Guiding light inside an optically transparent medium by total internal reflection (TIR) is common and useful in thin planar optical devices. vHOEs offer unique ways to create selective in- and out-coupling of TIR light. As such vHOEs typically have to be recorded in an edge-lit configuration as the necessary high diffraction angles could not be generated by two free-space beams outside the medium. To record such an edge-lit vHOE, bulky recording blocks or liquid baths are used in complex and hard to align recording setups. We present in this paper our findings to use instant-developing photopolymer film (Bayfol® HX) to generate 2 nd harmonics in the index profile of phase gratings while using free-space recording setups. Those 2 nd harmonic components enable the vHOE to diffract at such large angles that they replay in an edge-lit configuration. We will discuss in this paper selected materials and beneficial recording parameters to tune the diffraction efficiency towards 2 nd harmonic replay. By this - in reported specific cases - the cumbersome and complex edge-lit recording can be substituted by easy-to-use free-space setups. This process significantly simplifies master recordings for vHOEs with edge-lit functionalities which later can be used in contact copy schemes for mass replication.

Optical data storage has become the mainstream technology during the past two decades for distributing audio, video, and software content as well as for recording and archiving personal data. The continuous demand for ever-higher storage capacities and faster data transfer has led to the development of three disc format families using infrared (compact discs), red (digital versatile discs), and blue lasers (Blu-ray discs or high-density DVDs). Substrate materials used in optical discs need to possess a complex property profile with sufficient optical, rheological, mechanical, and processing characteristics to ensure cost-efficient replication, good read/write performance, and long-term media stability. Bisphenol-A polycarbonate (BPA-PC) is the substrate material of choice and has undergone several optimization cycles to always meet new format specifications.

Manipulating light with optical gratings based on volume Holographic Optical Elements (vHOEs), also known as volume Bragg gratings, has the advantage to reconstruct only the first diffraction order and hence provide high diffraction efficiencies and angular selectivity. In addition, they offer the further benefit to be fully transparent in the offBragg condition like it is required in optical combiners. We present the latest status of our instant-developing photopolymer film technology (Bayfol® HX) and show beneficial recording parameters - specifically we discuss the challenges to record transmission vHOEs and how to overcome them. Experimental results on color transmission recordings are shown and it is demonstrated that those match perfectly to Kogelniks coupled wave theory. It is recommended to adopt the dynamic range of the recording media by proper choice of recording dosage, recording power, beam ratio and photopolymer film type to the desired transmission vHOE design.

Light-emitting diodes have been prepared by depositing three organic layers successively by spin-coat and evaporation techniques. The first layer of PEDT/PSS smoothens the ITO surface, reduces the probability of electrical shorts and is beneficial for a high overall yield of the operating devices. Above all, this layer promotes hole-injection as an important parameter for higher efficiencies and prolonged operation life. The second layer of spin-coated dendritic phenylamines (TDAPB) with high glass transition temperature modulates the injection of holes into the emitting layer, formed by evaporated Alq. By comparing characteristics and operation lifetime data of devices with and without PEDT/PSS it is shown that the combination of polymeric and monomeric organic layers leads to highly efficient devices, opening new ways to modify device architectures.

Bayfol® HX film is a new class of recording materials for volume holography. It was commercialized in 2010 and is offering the advantages for full-color recording and moisture resistance without any chemical or thermal processing, combined with low shrinkage and detuning. These photopolymers are based on the two-chemistry concept in which the writing chemistry is dissolved in a preformed polymeric network. This network provides the necessary mechanical stability to the material prior to recording. In addition to the well-known security and imaging applications, Bayfol® HX film also offers a new opportunity for the manufacturing of volume Holographic Optical Elements (vHOEs) in new optical and optoelectronic applications. For the implementation of holographic recording layouts and associated exposure schedules for these HOEs detailed understanding of the photopolymer material properties and the knowledge how to achieve the optical requirements of dedicated holographic applications are necessary. In this paper we extend the application of our simulation method for the writing mechanism for the Bayfol® HX photopolymer film. Different photopolymer product variations, including development of photopolymer grades with improved bleaching properties and increased dynamical range, which enable simultaneous multi-color recording, while maintaining a high diffraction efficiency of the recorded holograms are covered. The model is investigated experimentally by recording and evaluation of specifically designed directional diffuser vHOEs as they would be used e.g. for light shaping or light management purposes. One important observation is the capability of Bayfol® HX film type photopolymers to form highly efficient diffraction gratings even at very high intensity ratios of the reference beam versus the object beam.

We have been developing a new class of recording materials for volume holography, offering the advantages of full color recording and depth tuning without any chemical or thermal processing, combined with low shrinkage and detuning. These photopolymers are based on the two-chemistry concept in which the writing chemistry is dissolved in a preformed polymeric network. This network gives the necessary mechanical stability to the material prior to recording. In this paper we describe several aspects of holographic recording into Bayfol® HX which are beneficial for its effective use and discuss them within a more elaborate reaction-diffusion model. Inhibition phenomena and the influence of precure are studied within this model and are investigated experimentally for single hologram recording and angular multiplexed hologram recordings. Also the dark reaction after the exposure period and the minimum allowable waiting time for full hologram formation are addressed. The proper understanding of these phenomena is important for the optimal usage of these new materials, in for example step-and-repeat mass production of holograms.

Optical data storage has had a major impact on daily life since its introduction to the market in 1982. Compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), and Blu-ray discs (BDs) are universal data-storage formats with the advantage that the reading and writing of the digital data does not require contact and is therefore wear-free. These formats allow convenient and fast data access, high transfer rates, and electricity-free data storage with low overall archiving costs. The driving force for development in this area is the constant need for increased data-storage capacity and transfer rate. The use of holographic principles for optical data storage is an elegant way to increase the storage capacity and the transfer rate, because by this technique the data can be stored in the volume of the storage material and, moreover, it can be optically processed in parallel. This Review describes the fundamental requirements for holographic data-storage materials and compares the general concepts for the materials used. An overview of the performance of current read-write devices shows how far holographic data storage has already been developed.

We have been developing a new class of recording materials for volume holography, offering the advantages for full color recording and depth tuning without any chemical or thermal processing, combined with low shrinkage and detuning. These photopolymers are based on the two chemistry concept in which the writing chemistry is dissolved in a preformed polymeric network. This network gives the necessary mechanical stability to the material prior to recording. In this paper we show that the recording process in these materials can be successfully described within a reactiondiffusion model. For the first time the combination of plane-wave recording data in transmission and reflection geometry was used to extract the model parameters. This was achieved via a master curve construction of the respective power density response functions of the photopolymer at saturation recording conditions. Within that model, power density response, spatial frequency response, non-locality effects, beam ratio effects and even dosage response can be predicted and explained for a wide range of CW recording conditions which are important for various holographic applications of these new materials.

This paper describes a new class of recording materials for volume holographic applications suitable to meet commercial manufacturing needs. These next-generation holographic photopolymers have the ability to satisfy the unmet demand for color and depth tuning that is only possible with volume holograms. Unlike earlier holographic photopolymers, these new materials offer the advantages of no chemical or thermal processing combined with low shrinkage and detuning. Furthermore, these materials exhibit high transparency, a high resolution of more than 5000 lines/mm and are environmentally robust. Bayer MaterialScience plans to commercialize these materials, which combine excellent holographic characteristics with compatibility to mass-production processes. In this paper, we will briefly discuss the potential markets and applications for a new photopolymer, describe the attributes of this new class of photopolymers, relate their ease of use in holographic recording, and discuss potential applications of such materials..

The development of suitable recording media for applications such as holographic optical elements and holographic data storage are of significant research and commercial interest. In this paper, a photopolymer material developed by Bayer MaterialScience is examined using various optical techniques and then characterised using the Non-local Photo-polymerization Driven Diffusion model. This material demonstrates the capabilities of a new class of photopolymer offering high index modulation, full colour recording, high light sensitivity and environmental stability. One key result of this study is the material's high spatial frequency resolution, indicating a very low non-local effect, thus qualifying it as a very good storage medium.