Enrico Orselli

Electroactive Polymers: Developments of and Perspectives for Dielectric Elastomers

We present the development and applications of dielectric elastomers. For the last 10 years the significance of this class of polymers has risen as more applications seem possible and first products have been commercialized.

Photopolymeric films with highly tunable refractive index modulation for high precision diffractive optics

The design and manufacturing of high efficiency and reliable volume phase holographic optical elements require photosensitive material where it is possible to finely control the refractive index modulation. Bayfol HX photopolymers show this feature together with other interesting advantages, in particular the self-developing and the large refractive index modulation. In this paper, the design of Volume Phase Holographic Gratings (VPHGs) is reported underlying the relationship of gratings’ performances with the refractive index modulation. The trend of this property with the change of the laser power density and the ratio of the two writing beams is shown. Based on these results, VPHGs for astronomical instrumentation have been designed and manufactured.

Diffractive optics in large sizes: computer-generated holograms (CGH) based on Bayfol ® HX photopolymer

Volume Holographic Optical Elements (vHOE) offer angular and spectral Bragg selectivity that can be tuned by film thickness and holographic recording conditions. With the option to integrate complex optical function in a very thin plastic layer formerly heavy refractive optics can be made thin and lightweight especially for large area applications like liquid crystal displays, projection screens or photovoltaic. Additionally their Bragg selectivity enables the integration of several completely separated optical functions in the same film. The new instant developing photopolymer film (Bayfol® HX) paves the way towards new cost effective diffractive large optics, due to its easy holographic recording and environmental stability. A major bottleneck for large area applications has been the master hologram recording which traditionally needs expensive, large high precision optical equipment and high power laser with long coherence length. Further the recording setup needs to be rearranged for a change in optical design. In this paper we describe an alternative method for large area holographic master recording, using standard optics and low power lasers in combination with an x, y-translation stage. In this setup small sub-holograms generated by a phase only spatial light modulator (SLM) are recorded next to each other to generate a large size vHOE. The setup is flexible to generate various types of HOEs without the need of a change in the mechanical and optical construction by convenient SLM programming. One Application example and parameter studies for printed vHOEs based on Bayfol® HX Photopolymer will be given.

Diffractive optics with high Bragg selectivity: volume holographic optical elements in Bayfol® HX photopolymer film

For a long time volume Holographic Optical Elements (vHOE) have been discussed as an alternative, but were hampered by a lack of suitable materials. They provide several benefits over surface corrugated diffractive optical element like high diffraction efficiency due to their ability to reconstruct a single diffraction order, freedom of optical design by freely setting the replay angles and adjusting their bandwidth by a selection of the vHOE’s thickness. Additional interesting features are related to their high Bragg selectivity providing transparent films for off-Bragg illumination. In this paper we report on our newly developed photopolymer film technology (Bayfol® HX) that uniquely requires no post processing after holographic exposure. We explain the governing non-local polymerization driven diffusion process leading to an active mass transport triggered by constructive interference. Key aspects of the recording process and their impact on index modulation formation is discussed. The influence on photopolymer film thickness on the bandwidth is shown. A comparison between coupled wave theory (CWT) simulation and experimental results is given. There are two basic recording geometries: reflection and transmission vHOEs. We explain consequences of how to record them properly and discuss in more detail the special challenges in transmission hologram recording. Here beam ratio and customization of photopolymer film properties can be applied most beneficially to achieve highest diffraction efficiency.

Photopolymer based VPHGs: from materials to sky results

Volume Phase Holographic Gratings cover a relevant position as transmission dispersing elements in astronomical spectrographs and each astronomical observation could take advantage of specific dispersive elements with features tailored for achieving the best performances. The design and manufacturing of high efficiency and reliable VPHGs require photosensitive materials where it is possible to control both the refractive index modulation and the film thickness. By means of Bayfol® HX photopolymers, we designed and manufactured six VPHGs for astronomical instrumentation in a GRISM configuration. We demonstrated how photopolymers are reliable holographic materials for making astronomical VPHGs with performances comparable to those provided by VPHGs based on Dichromated Gelatins (DCGs), but with a much simpler production process.

Precision holographic optical elements in Bayfol HX photopolymer

The versatility of Volume Holographic Optical Elements (vHOE) is high, especially because of their tunable angular and spectral Bragg selectivity. Those unique lightweight, thin and flat optical elements are enabled by the new instant developing photopolymer film Bayfol® HX technology, which allows to mass produce cost effective diffractive optics due to its simplified and robust holographic recording process. From a pure scientific point of view volume holography is well established. In practice though, commercially available optical design software is not adapted to handle the specific characteristics of photopolymer diffractive optical elements and their recording. To achieve high quality vHOE precision optics, the recording setup needs to accommodate several aspects that will be covered in this paper. We report on means how to deal with photopolymer shrinkage and average refractive index changes of the recording media. An important part in diffractive optics design is the compensation of different conditions between the holographic recording setup and in a final product containing the vHOE. Usually substrates might need to be changed (in material, in refractive index) as well the illumination sources are using incoherent light having angular and spectral emission profiles with finite bandwidth. Recently special in- and out-coupling vHOEs are becoming attractive e.g. in near eye displays and in compact lighting devices. We will report on design considerations and adjustments to the recording condition for a specific in-coupling vHOE and demonstrate the effects of pre-compensation on this example.

Second harmonics HOE recording in Bayfol HX

Volume Holographic Optical Elements (vHOEs) provide superior optical properties over DOEs (surface gratings) due to high diffraction efficiencies in the -1st order and their excellent Bragg selectivity. Bayer MaterialScience is offering a variety of customized instant-developing photopolymer films to meet requirements for a specific optics design of a phase hologram. For instance, the photopolymer film thickness is an ideal means to adjust the angular and the spectral selectivity while the index modulation can be adopted with the film thickness to achieve a specific required dynamic range. This is especially helpful for transmission type holograms and in multiplex recordings. The selection of different substrates is helpful to achieve the overall optical properties for a targeted application that we support in B2B-focused developments. To provide further guidance on how to record volume holograms in Bayfol HX, we describe in this paper a new route towards the recording of substrate guided vHOEs by using optimized photopolymer films. Furthermore, we discuss special writing conditions that are suitable to create higher 2nd harmonic intensities and their useful applications. Due to total internal reflection (TIR) at the photopolymer-air interface in substrate guided vHOEs, hologram recording with those large diffraction angles cannot usually be done with two free-space beams. Edge-lit recording setups are used to circumvent this limitation. However, such setups require bulky recording blocks or liquid bathes and are complex and hard to align. A different approach that we present in this paper is to exploit 2nd harmonic grating generation in a freespace recording scheme. Those 2nd harmonic components allow the replay of diffraction angles that are normally only accessible with edge-lit writing configurations. Therefore, this approach significantly simplifies master recordings for vHOEs with edge-lit functionalities, which later can be used in contact copy schemes for mass replication. In this paper, we will discuss and illustrate recording parameters to influence 2nd harmonic efficiency in optimized photopolymer films and will explain preferred geometries for recording.

On the impact of incoherent pre-exposure on vHOE recording in Bayfol HX film for see-through applications

Head-up-displays (HUD) and head-mounted-displays (HMD) have in common to utilize an optical combiner for electronic image creation in a see-through optical setup. Volume holographical optical elements (vHOE) appeal to system designers by their lightweight, thin film construction that also enables concepts to integrate those into lens or windshield manufacturing. vHOEs can be customized towards optical system requirements through their adaptable angular and spectral Bragg selectivity, while also diffraction efficiencies can be widely chosen to meet the overall optical specifications. Photopolymer films (Bayfol® HX film) have been recently introduced into the market place and prove themselves as easy to process materials. In this paper we investigate the impact of incoherent pre-exposure, which is a technique that can be used to overcome oxygen inhibition in a very convenient way. Incoherent light also can be used to reduce the dynamic range of the photopolymer film to fine tune diffraction efficiency and reduce over-modulation of transmission HOEs. Another interesting aspect is to minimize coherent media scatter that can occur at long exposure times. So reduction of the overall applied coherent light dosage is the key here. Incoherent pre-exposure therefore should be considered as an integral part of a holographer’s toolset to perfect the recording results for vHOEs.

Wavelength multiplexing recording of vHOEs in Bayfol HX photopolymer film

Photopolymer films (Bayfol® HX) have been recently introduced into the market place and prove themselves as easy to process for volume holographic optical element (vHOE) recording. The new Bayfol® HX instant developing holographic photopolymer film provides full color capability and adjustable diffraction efficiency as well as an unprecedented optical clarity when compared to classical volume holographic recording materials like silver halide emulsions (AgHX) or dichromated gelatin (DCG). Besides the recording step no pre- or post-processing is necessary and easy mass production of vHOEs in a completely dry roll to roll process is possible. Due to the nature of vHOEs, multiplexing recording can be used to superimpose multiple optical functions in a single layer. This enables to merge angular wise precise full color diffractive combiner optics in one layer by spectral multiplexing, like RGB recording in Bayfol® HX film. Further optical sensing functions may be added by additional angular multiplexing. For reflection type vHOE recording the necessity of additional partial reflective layers or using total internal reflection (TIR) in a light guide becomes obsolete. Obviously, these unique properties of vHOEs could significantly simplify the layer structure of immersive displays like in Head-Mounted-Displays (HMD) and Head-Up- Displays (HUD). In this paper we investigate and demonstrate wavelength multiplexing recording in Bayfol® HX film with a specific focus on the design of the optical recording setup and its system and stability margins. Well controlled RGB recording power conditions enable high repeatability over extended operation periods of the RGB efficiency balance of reflective vHOEs.

Photopolymers for holographic optical elements in astronomy

Holographic Optical Elements (HOEs) cover nowadays a relevant position as dispersing elements in astronomical spectrographs because each astronomical observation could take advantage of specific devices with features tailored for achieving the best performances. The design and manufacturing of highly efficient and reliable dispersive elements require photosensitive materials as recording substrate where it is possible to precisely control the parameters that define the efficiency response (namely both the refractive index modulation and the film thickness). The most promising materials in this field are the photopolymers because, beside the ability to provide the tuning feature, they bring also advantages such as self-developing, high refractive index modulation and ease of use thanks to their simple thin structure, which is insensitive from the external environment. In particular, Bayfol HX photopolymers were characterized with the purpose to use them as new material for astronomical Volume Phase Holographic Gratings. We designed and manufactured VPHGs for astronomical instrumentation and we demonstrated how photopolymers are reliable holographic materials for making astronomical devices with performances comparable to those provided by VPHGs based on Dichromated Gelatins (DCGs), but with a much simpler production process. Moreover, the versatility of these materials allowed us to propose and realize novel architectures of the spectroscopic dispersive elements. A compact and unique single prism device was realized for a FOSC spectrograph and new multi-layered devices are proposed, stacking VPHGs one on top of the other to obtain many spectra in the instrument’s detector, with advantages as increase of resolution and signal to noise ratio with respect to the classical single dispersive element.