Photofabrication of multiple beam splitters in a self-developing polymer system

Diffraction properties of phase relief gratings which can be photofabricated in dichromated poly(acrylic acid) films have been analyzed. The formation of these gratings which produce multiple diffracted waves takes place in darkness subsequent to the holographic illumination at a wavelength of 442 nm. The holographic surface relief gratings are obtained by self-development and without any chemical treatment or wet processing. Theoretical calculations of diffraction efficiencies and experimental results at a wavelength of 543.5 nm for a seven beam splitter are presented.