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Peculiar light-matter interactions can break the rule that a single beam polarization can address only two states in an optical memory device. Multistate storage of a single beam polarization is achieved using self-induced surface diffraction gratings in a photoactive polymer material. The grating orientation follows the incident light beam's polarization direction. The permanent self-induced surface relief grating can be read out in real time using the same laser beam.

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ABSTRACT:Although coherent light is usually required for the self-organization of regular spatial patterns from optical beams, we show that peculiar light matter interaction can break this evidence. In the traditional method to record laser-induced periodic surface structures, a light intensity distribution is produced at the surface of a polymer film by an interference between two coherent optical beams. We report on the self-organization followed by propagation of a surface relief pattern. It is induced in a polymer film by using a low-power and small-size coherent beam assisted by a high-power and large-size incoherent and unpolarized beam. We demonstrate that we can obtain large size and well organized patterns starting from a dissipative interaction. Our experiments open new directions to improve optical processing systems.

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