| Title | Optically switchable diffraction grating in a photochromic/polymer thin film |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2015 |
| Authors | Williams, G.V.M., Do M.T.T., Raymond S.G., Bhuiyan M.D.H., and Kay A.J. |
| Journal | Applied Optics |
| Volume | 54 |
| Issue | 22 |
| Pagination | 6882 - 6886 |
| Date Published | 2015 |
| ISSN | 1559128X (ISSN) |
| Keywords | Add/drop multiplexers, Amorphous films, Amorphous polycarbonates, Diffraction, Diffraction gratings, Optical switches, Photochromic dyes, Photochromism, Switchable, Thermal relaxation, Thin films, Ultra-violet light |
| Abstract | An optically switchable diffraction grating has been made in a thin film containing a photochromic dye and amorphous polycarbonate. We show that a film containing the dye 5-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1,3,3-trimethylspiro [2H-indole-2,30-(3H)naphth[2,1-b](1,4)oxazine] can be optically processed so that a diffraction grating can be completely switched on by ultraviolet light and turned off by thermal relaxation. The ability to switch or modulate the diffraction efficiency has a number of practical applications that include optical switches and add/drop multiplexers. © 2015 Optical Society of America. |
| URL | http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84942369000&partnerID=40&md5=686259be75df2813a0f44238b40a87fc |
| DOI | 10.1364/AO.54.006882 |
