Modeling the formation of unslanted holographic gratings in hybrid photopolymer media

The theoretical modeling of holographic recording in photopolymers has been an important tool in their optimization. More complex, hybrid organic/inorganic photopolymers have been developed in pursuit of materials with higher sensitivity, low shrinkage, high dynamic range, and environmental stability. Recent attempts to augment existing models for the redistribution of inorganic nanoparticles in holographic recording were successful, but there is still a knowledge gap regarding the modeling of optical losses, mutual cross-diffusion, the formation of slanted holographic gratings, and polymerization-induced shrinkage in hybrid photopolymer media. This paper will describe a novel, to the best of our knowledge, approach to modeling the formation of unslanted holographic gratings in hybrid photopolymer materials by considering optical losses and coupled cross-diffusion in the recording process. The new model is validated via a comparison of previously published experimental results with model predictions. Numerical simulations of the model will also provide an insight into how the grating can be optimized for holographic applications in the experimental design through the proper selection of recording conditions and nanoparticles.