Scalar diffraction theory is frequently considered inadequate for predicting diffraction efficiencies for grating applications where lambda/d>0.1. It has also been stated that scalar theory imposes energy upon the evanescent diffracted orders. These notions, as well as several other common misconceptions, are driven more by an unnecessary paraxial approximation in the traditional Fourier treatment of scalar diffraction theory than by the scalar limitation. By scaling the spatial variables by the wavelength, we have previously shown that diffracted radiance is shift invariant in direction cosine space. Thus simple Fourier techniques can now be used to predict a variety of wide-angle (nonparaxial) diffraction grating effects. These include (1) the redistribution of energy from the evanescent orders to the propagating ones, (2) the angular broadening (and apparent shifting) of wide-angle diffracted orders, and (3) nonparaxial diffraction efficiencies predicted with an accuracy usually thought to require rigorous electromagnetic theory.

Near-field diffraction patterns are merely aberrated Fraunhofer diffraction patterns. These aberrations, inherent to the diffraction process, provide insight and understanding into wide-angle diffraction phenomena. Nonparaxial patterns of diffracted orders produced by a laser beam passing through a grating and projected upon a plane screen exhibit severe distortion (W311). This distortion is an artifact of the configuration chosen to observe diffraction patterns. Grating behavior expressed in terms of the direction cosines of the propagation vectors of the incident and diffracted orders exhibits no distortion. Use of a simple direction cosine diagram provides an elegant way to deal with nonparaxial diffraction patterns, particularly when large obliquely incident beams produce conical diffraction.

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Refractive index gratings have been inscribed in polymer thin films by permanently photobleaching the organic chromophore PYR-3 dopant. The grating inscription process was investigated in detail for the purpose of improving the diffraction efficiency (η) of the PYR-3 doped polymer gratings. Three processes were identified that contributed to the η of the first diffracted order: a periodic change in the refractive index due to photobleaching of the PYR-3, formation of the surface relief grating as a consequence of free volume change during bleaching, and the introduction of periodic, strain-induced changes in the refractive index.

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