Abstract

Volume-phase holograms are very promising for applications in telecommunication. An example are Bragg mirrors of high wavelength selectivity for wavelength division multiplexing in optical communication systems. Suitable recording materials with a large dynamic range, small absorption in the third optical window, and a high lifetime are required. Here we present a study whether poly(methvl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a suitable recording material for this application. Bragg gratings are recorded in doped and partially polymerized PMMA with green light (wavelength 532 nm) in transmission geometry, and the gratings are read in reflection geometry with infrared light in the telecommunication wavelength range (1.5 /mi). Diffraction efficiencies of more than 99 % with a wavelength bandwidth of 1 nm are obtained for single gratings with a typical length of 15 mm, and the absorption losses are quite small (absorption coefficient 25 m^-1 at 1.5 /tm). Finally, a four-channel multiplexer based on PMMA is realized.

© 2003 Optical Society of America