Holographic beam-shaping diffractive diffusers fabricated by using controlled laser speckle

A method for fabricating di ractive holographic optical di users is reported, allowing a high degree of control of the resulting di user characteristics. The method consists of recording a laser speckle pattern using a single carrier beam, with controlled speckle size and shape, in an acrylamide-based volume photopolymer. The multiple interferences that create the speckle pattern form the hologram. Results are presented verifying the di users are volume holographic in nature and the speckle pattern is recorded accurately in the photopolymer. Di users recorded by this method are analysed to characterise the optical performance of the di users and to illustrate their beam-shaping capabilities, particularly in producing asymmetric beam outputs.