Phase-conjugated directional diffraction from a retroreflector array hologram

Abstract

A corner cube retroreflector (CCR) consists of three perpendicular flat surfaces and reflects the incident light back to its source. Optical properties of CCR arrays have applications in free space optical communication, low power wireless networks and sensing applications. Conventional top-down CCR array fabrication is complex and requires expensive equipment and limited to broadband reflection only. Here, we utilize laser assisted copying of a CCR array to a light sensitive holography polymer film ($10 mm) which was placed parallel to the object plane (CCR array) during the recording.Optical characterization of the recorded CCR array hologram was carried out using reflection and color-selective diffraction measurements. Angle dependent optical properties were also simulated computationally followed by their experimental realization, which confirm our experimental findings. In a broadband illumination setting, a broadband white light reflection and a narrowband color diffraction were observed. A linear relationship between the incidence angle of the broadband light and the diffraction angle of the diffracted color light was observed. Bright and well-defined 2 nd order far-field diffraction patterns were observed using an image-screen experiment. Maximum diffraction efficiency (DE) of $50% was observed for the monochromatic green light at normal illumination setting. The farfield diffraction interspacing/intensity exhibits increasing/decreasing trend with illumination tilt angles, measured between 10 to 50 degrees. The recorded CCR array holograms offer potential applications in color selective diffraction optics and customized optical devices.

Holographic Writing of Ink-Based Phase Conjugate Nanostructures via Laser Ablation

“…Recently, flat optical devices have been produced on functionalized substrates using low-cost single pulse holography 12 , 13 . Additionally, optical phase-conjugated flat CCR array holograms have been created in functionalized gelatin substrates through holographic Denisyuk reflection mode recording 11 , 14 .…”

Remote Thermal Sensing by Integration of Corner‐Cube Optics and Thermochromic Materials

“…To understand the behavior of the coated CCRs, optical properties of the coated CCR surface were modeled through a finite element method (FEM) . COMSOL multi‐physics simulation tools were used to simulate retroreflection and ray‐tracing properties from the 2D/3D coated CCR structures.…”

“…Such a measurement system is virtually independent of the angle of incidence. The directional retro‐reflection of CCR is unique compared to the normal or plain mirror . See Section S1 in the Supporting Information for further details on advantages of using the combination of CCR and thermochromic dyes for thermal sensing.…”

Morpho butterfly-inspired optical diffraction, diffusion, and bio-chemical sensing

“…is an integer, and q i is the incidence angle. 42 The green light shows maximum diffraction intensity with normalized light illumination. Furthermore, the light diffraction property was measured through an angle-resolve setup.…”