Abstract

We describe a programmable multilayer holographic device for optical interconnections and displays. The holographic recording medium is polarization-sensitive azo-dye- doped polymers. Azo-dye molecules in our samples are well aligned on fabrication by dip-coating. Holograms are recorded in this material by exposure to light polarized parallel to the preferred alignment direction of the recording layer. Holographic reconstruction is very sensitive to the polarization of the probing field. This sensitivity makes possible layer selective reconstruction of holograms in multilayered devices. In our experiments, three layers and four layers of azo-dye-doped polymer films are interleaved with electrooptic liquid crystal modulators. Using the liquid crystal modulators to control the polarization of the probe light allows us to selectively reconstruct azo-dye holograms. We believe that this effect has potential application to electro-optic interconnection systems and dynamic holographic displays.

© 1993 Optical Society of America