Image storage based on circular-polarization holography in an azobenzene side-chain liquid-crystalline polymer

Image storage was investigated in a liquid-crystalline azobenzene polymer film based on circular-polarization holographic recording. An image was stored in pure polarization holograms using two orthogonal circularly polarized 532 nm beams and was reconstructed with a 633 nm beam. The polarization holograms showed high stability and a high diffraction efficiency of 31.8%. Moreover, the polarization holograms could convert arbitrary probe polarization state into circular polarization, and the diffraction efficiency was dependent on the probe polarization state, which was favorable for controlling the reconstructed images. (c) 2008 Optical Society of America.