Stable selective gratings in LC polymer by photoinduced helix pitch modulation.

A cholesteric mixture based on the nematic liquid crystalline side-chain polymer doped with a chiral-photochromic compound was prepared and used as an active medium for creation of stable polarization selective gratings by phototunable modulation of the helix pitch. Such modulation was fabricated in the polymer mixture by a nonpolarized UV-irradiation with spatially modulated intensity that causes E-Z isomerization of a chiral-photochromic dopant, decreasing its helical twisting power. It was shown that the gratings recorded by UV-exposure through a mask are strongly selective to the handedness of circular polarized light.

Single step optical fabrication of a DFB laser device in fluorescent azobenzene-containing materials.

Distributed feedback (DFB) lasers are produced directly in fluorescent azobenzene-containing materials using a single holographic optical step. Surface relief grating capable of producing images in fluorescence microscopy can be holographically formed in a number of materials.

Efficient single-beam light manipulation of 3D microstructures in azobenzene-containing materials.

Large aspect ratio 3D microstructures (arrays of square posts and linear rectangular gratings) fabricated in a number of azobenzene-containing materials by soft lithography were manipulated by a single beam of polarized light. The materials exhibited different response to the beam orientation and the direction of light polarization. An elongation of the square posts both along and perpendicular to the polarization plane was observed depending on material.

Three-dimensional planarized diffraction structures based on surface relief gratings in azobenzene materials.

The method of step-by-step formation of correlated 3D phase optical structures is presented. Surface relief gratings (SRG) recorded in azobenzene polymer layers are alternated with layers of a spacer polymer with a different refractive index. A pair of azobenzene and spacer polymers with excellent compatibility makes it possible to prepare layers of good optical quality in a stack without destruction of SRG in the previous layer.

Microfocus Cu K(alpha) source for femtosecond x-ray science.

We demonstrate a subpicosecond 1 kHz femtosecond x-ray source with a well-accessible quasi-point size (10 microm diameter) providing Cu K(alpha) emission with a maximum flux of 6.8 x 10(10) photons/s for continuous operation of 10 h. A new geometry that essentially facilitates the adjustment and diminishes the temporal jitter between the x-ray probe and the laser pump pulse is implemented for time-resolved diffraction experiments.