Abstract

Self-regeneration of volume gratings recorded inside polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) after 70–100 days is demonstrated. First, volume gratings were made inside PMMA by femtosecond laser writing. The diffraction efficiency of the gratings reached the maximum—was regenerated—following an initial slow decrease within the first several days after the fabrication. Time-lapse measurements of the diffraction efficiency in both top-plane (as laser written) and side-plane illumination were used to monitor changes of the diffraction efficiency. The final efficiency was reaching values well in excess of the as-fabricated efficiencies, with a maximum diffraction efficiency of 90% for the side readout illumination. The regenerated volume grating is a possible candidate to achieve high diffraction efficiency in PMMA. The regeneration is consistent with the $\alpha$-relaxation of the polymer structure and oxidation of the dangling bonds.

© 2017 Optical Society of America

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