Abstract:
An improved recording medium is provided having a rigid porous matrix containing a photoimageable system. In contrast to previous media containing porous matrices, the invention allows readable holograms to be written in a medium without the need for solvent processing steps subsequent to irradiation. Due to the rigid nature of the matrix, polymerization and/or diffusion during formation of each individual hologram induces only a small level of Bragg detuning. Temperature fluctuations similarly induce only a small Bragg shift. Improved archival life of recorded holograms and improved fidelity of read-out, as well as improved optical elements, are thereby attained. And the avoidance of solvent processing makes the process of recording holograms far easier than in previous porous matrix-based media.
Abstract:
The invention relates to use of a material containing a polymerizable monomer or oligomer, the material exhibiting desirable shrinkage compensation upon polymerization. The material contains an expansion agent having a cleaving moiety with the capacity to be cleaved or fragmented by a catalytic reaction, e.g., acid catalysis. The cleavage, by increasing the number of molecules in the material, causes expansion that compensates, at least in part, for shrinkage induced by polymerization of the monomer or oligomer. The expansion agent is capable of providing compensation such that no more than 0.4%, advantageously no more than 0.2 %, volume shrinkage per molar concentration of polymerized monomer functional groups occurs, where such compensation is performed at relatively low temperatures of less than 40°C.
Abstract:
The optical article of the invention, e.g., holographic recording medium or polymeric waveguide, is formed by mixing a matrix precursor and a photoactive monomer, and curing the mixture to form the matrix in situ. The reaction by which the matrix precursor is polymerized during the cure is independent from the reaction by which the photoactive monomer is polymerized during writing of data. In addition, the matrix polymer and the polymer resulting from polymerization of the photoactive monomer are compatible with each other. Use of a matrix precursor and photoactive monomer that polymerize by independent reactions substantially prevents cross-reaction between the photoactive monomer and the matrix precursor during the cure and inhibition of subsequent monomer polymerization. Use of a matrix precursor and photoactive monomer that result in compatible polymers substantially avoids phase separation. And in situ formation allows fabrication of articles with desirable thicknesses.