We investigate the recording dynamics of Omnidex photopolymer film from DuPont. We use a reviewed version of the diffusion model proposed by Zhao and Mouroulis [J. Mod. Opt. 41, 1929 (1994)] in order to describe the recording response that combined photopolymerization and free-monomer diffusion process. Two different experiments are detailed that lead to the determination of material kinetic parameters. These values are introduced in the numerical model to provide quantitative simulations of a grating formation under various holographic exposures. Theoretical results are experimentally checked as a validation of the model. We extend its applications to several secondary investigations, such as volume-shrinkage influence on refractive-index distribution and spectral selectivity of reflection gratings. This study improves the understanding of the recording process and consequently allows to build more accurate holographic components in this material to be built.

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Local and nonlocal models for the diffusion of photopolymers are applied to the dynamic formation of transmission gratings recorded in photopolymers and holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (H-PDLCs). We retrieve the main parameters of H-PDLCs (refractive-index modulation and diffusion coefficient) by combining a solution of the one-dimensional diffusion equation and the rigorous coupled-wave theory applied to transmission gratings. The rigorous coupled-wave theory method provides us with information on higher harmonics of the refractive profile (not only on the first harmonic as when the classical Kogelnik theory is applied). Measurements concerning the second harmonic validate the modeling.

The efficiency of the transmission of surface plasmon waves by use of a dielectric diffraction grating is discussed. The Kretschmann device allows us to obtain a surface plasmon resonance that consists of an absorption peak in the reflection spectrum. When surface plasmon resonance occurs, the TM-polarization mode of the incident electromagnetic wave is neither transmitted nor reflected. The procedure to transform an 4bsorption peak into a transmission peak is described. Transmittivity of 68% is obtained for a simple structure that consists of a thin-film layer of Ag coated on a volume diffraction grating and embedded between two dielectric media. The results presented herein were obtained by numerical simulations that were carried out by use of an algorithm based on the rigorous coupled-wave theory.

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