Raghavendra Jallapuram

Investigation of the diffusion processes in a self-processing acrylamide-based photopolymer system

Results from the investigation of the diffusion processes in a dry acrylamide-based photopolymer system are presented. The investigation is carried out in the context of experimental research on optimization of the high-spatial-frequency response of the photopolymer. Tracing the transmission holographic grating dynamics at short times of exposure is utilized to measure diffusion coefficients. The results reveal that two different diffusion processes contribute with opposite sign to the refractive-index modulation responsible for the diffraction grating buildup. Monomer diffusion from dark to bright fringe areas increases the refractive-index modulation. It is characterized with diffusion constant D0 = 1.6 x 10(-7) cm2/s. A second diffusion process takes place during the recording. It decreases the refractive-index modulation and we ascribe it to diffusion of short-chain polymer molecules or radicals from bright to dark fringe areas. The estimated diffusion coefficient for this process is D0 = 6.35 x 10(-10) cm2/s. The presence of the second process could be responsible for the poor high-spatial-frequency response of the investigated photopolymer system. Comparison with the diffusion in photopolymer systems known for their good response at high spatial frequencies shows that both investigated diffusion processes occur in a much faster time scale.

A visual indication of environmental humidity using a color changing hologram recorded in a self-developing photopolymer

A reflection hologram for visual indication of environmental humidity has been studied. The hologram is recorded in a self-developing photopolymer and changes color when exposed to a change in humidity and is fully reversible. The range of color change, reversibility, and the response time of the hologram have been studied in a controlled humidity environment. Fully reversible holograms with response times from few seconds to tens of minutes have been designed. Extremely sensitive bright visual humidity indicators, capable of dramatic color change within a few seconds of breathing on them are demonstrated.

Electronic speckle-pattern interferometer using holographic optical elements for vibration measurements

We report a simple, compact electronic speckle-pattern interferometer (ESPI) incorporating holographic optical elements (HOEs) for the study of out-of-plane vibration. Reflection and transmission HOEs provide reference and object beams in the interferometer. The alignment difficulties with conventional ESPI systems are minimized using HOEs. The time-average ESPI subtraction method is used to generate the fringe pattern and remove background speckle noise by introducing a phase shift between consecutive images. The amplitude and phase maps are obtained using path-difference modulation.

Raman spectroscopy for the characterization of the polymerization rate in an acrylamide-based photopolymer

Investigations of polymerization rates in an acrylamide-based photopolymer are presented. The polymerization rate for acrylamide and methylenebisacrylamide was determined by monitoring the changes in the characteristic vibrational peaks at 1284 and 1607 cm(-1) corresponding to the bending mode of the CH bond and CC double bonds of acrylamide and in the characteristic peak at 1629 cm(-1) corresponding to the carbon-carbon double bond of methylenebisacrylamide using Raman spectroscopy. To study the dependence of the polymerization rate on intensity and to find the dependence parameter, the polymerization rate constant is measured at different intensities. A comparison with a commercially available photopolymer shows that the polymerization rate in this photopolymer is much faster.

Multipoint laser Doppler vibrometry using holographic optical elements and a CMOS digital camera

A laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) is described in which holographic optical elements are used to provide the interferometer reference and object illumination beams. A complementary metal-oxide semiconductor camera, incorporating a digital signal processor, is used to carry out real-time signal processing of the interferometer output to allow multipoint LDV to be implemented.

Two way diffusion model for the recording mechanism in a self developing dry acrylamide photopolymer

In our most recent study diffusion constants were measured in the simplified monoacrylamide version of a dry acrylamide based photopolymer holographic recording material developed in the Centre for Industrial and Engineering Optics. In this paper we report diffusion constants for the commonly used photopolymer formulation, which also contains the crosslinker bisacrylamide. A physical model for the recording mechanism is proposed which explains the two way diffusion observed in both systems, and is in agreement with much of the previously observed behaviour of the material, particularly in regard to dependence of diffraction efficiency growth on spatial frequency and persistence of holographic gratings under uniform exposure. The model is also supported by direct observation, under a surface profiler, of the boundary between an illuminated and un-illuminated area at the photopolymer surface.

Development of a panchromatic acrylamide-based photopolymer for multicolor reflection holography.

We present the development of a panchromatic acrylamide-based photopolymer (ABP) for holographic recording application. The scattering of the recording medium was characterized by measuring the bidirectional scattering distribution function. The dynamic range in the reflection mode of recording was evaluated by measuring the diffraction efficiencies of the holographic gratings recorded individually at 633 nm, 532 nm, and 473 nm wavelengths at spatial frequencies of 4200 lines/mm, 5000 lines/mm, and 5700 lines/mm, respectively. Spectral characterization of the reflection gratings, recorded using a combined single red-green-blue (RGB) beam, was carried out, and the reconstructed wavelengths were monitored and compared with the recording wavelengths. The recorded and the reconstructed wavelengths were plotted as points on the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) chromaticity diagram in order to reveal shifts due to material shrinkage in the corresponding RGB wavelengths. Finally, reflection holograms of an object were successfully recorded at all the three primary wavelengths. The results represent a strong confirmation that this ABP can be used as a panchromatic recording material and can be employed in future commercial holographic applications.

Hologram-based Humidity Indicator for Domestic and Packaging Applications

A passive indicator for Relative Humidity based on a photopolymer recorded hologram has been developed. The indicator works on the principle that the wavelength reconstructed by a reflection hologram is dependent on the spacing between the fringe planes of the hologram. As the Relative Humidity changes, the hologram swells or shrinks and the apparent colour of the reconstructed image changes. The response time, operational range and reversibility of the indicator have been studied in a controlled humidity environment. Response times from less than a minute to tens of minutes depending on the holograms physical properties have been measured. Indicators with different operational ranges have been designed. For some indicators the operational range extends from 10% RH to 80% RH. The indicator is completely reversible in its present formulation. It could have an extensive market in industrial monitoring, food packaging and household applications.

Holographic Recording in Acrylamide Photopolymers: Thickness Limitations

Holographic recording in thick photopolymer layers is important for application in holographic data storage, volume holographic filters, and correlators. Here, we studied the characteristics of acrylamide-based photopolymer layers ranging in thickness from 250 microm to 1 mm. For each thickness, samples with three different values of absorbance were studied. By measuring the diffraction efficiency growth of holographically recorded gratings and studying the diffraction patterns obtained, the influence of scattering on the diffraction efficiency of thick volume holographic gratings was analyzed. It was found that, above a particular thickness and absorbance, the diffraction efficiency significantly decreased because of increased holographic scattering. From the diffraction efficiency dependence on absorbance and thickness it is possible to choose photopolymer layer properties that are suitable for a particular holographic application. This study was carried out to determine the highest layer thickness that could be used for phase code multiplexed holographic data storage utilizing thick photopolymer layers as a recording medium. Based on our studies to date we believe that the layer to be used for phase coded reference beam recording with 0.1 absorbance at 532 nm can have a thickness up to 450 microm. The potential use of thicker layers characterized by low scattering losses is part of our continuing research.

In-plane sensitive electronic speckle pattern interferometer using a diffractive holographic optical element

We describe a student project in electronic speckle pattern interferometry. The project includes holographic recording of diffraction gratings in thick self-processing photopolymer layers made from off-the-shelf chemicals. The gratings are employed in a simple electronic speckle pattern interferometer to measure in-plane rotation.