Complex holographic elements in photo-thermo-refractive glass for the visible spectral region

Planar holographic optical elements (volume Bragg gratings, VBGs) recorded in photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass are widely used for fine spectral filtering and laser beam control. PTR glass provides photosensitivity in near UV region. Therefore, while planar holographic elements operate in the whole window of transparency - near UV, visible and near IR spectral regions, application of complex (nonplanar) elements is restricted to near UV. A method has been proposed to create high-efficiency diffractive optical elements in PTR glass using visible light. The method employs excited state absorption in PTR glass doped with Tb3+. UV radiation was used for excitation to a metastable level of Tb3+ and pulsed radiation at 532 nm was used for hologram recording. Both planar VBGs and holographic lenses operating at 532 nm were demonstrated. Complex holographic optical elements in PTR glass can provide attractive solutions for lasers and spectroscopy replacing conventional optical components.

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