Predictive modeling of two-component holographic photopolymers

We present a general strategy for characterizing the reaction and diffusion kinetics of polymeric holographic recording media by which key processes are decoupled and independently measured. The separate processes are combined into a predictive model that is shown to make accurate quantitative predictions of index response over three orders of exposure dose (similar to 1 to similar to 10(3) mJ/cm(2)) and feature size (0.35 to 500 microns) for a model material similar to commercial media. Several critical performance concepts also emerge from the model, including a prediction of a formulation's maximum potential index response, insight into why a particular material may not achieve this maximum and the process that limits the recording resolution.