Abstract
We present for the first time stable red light two-dimensional image holographic recording in azobenzene-containing polymer-liquid crystal material following a pre-illumination process. The red light hologram recording is based on cis-to-trans transition of the azobenzene and surrounding LC reorientation. The diffraction efficiency of about 2% has been achieved and clear holograms of a commercial 2D USAF resolution target have been recorded. Using the same readout wavelength as the recording wavelength, color distortion that exists in most hologram researches with azo-containing materials is naturally eliminated. Long-time stabilities such as one-day continuous non-destructive readout and up to 10 weeks hologram storage have been demonstrated. The holographic recording material remains erasable and rewritable.
•This paper discussed the basic material composition of azobenzene–LC polyer hybrid composite system and its response to red light recording of holograms.•It demonstrated enhanced holographic recording as well as stable hologram storage.•The main contribution is that it uses a light pre-illumination to prepare the material in the cis state that enable the subsequent red hologram recording transferring cis to the trans state along with liquid crystal reorientation.•This pre-illumination avoids the biphotonic hologram recording processing that requires using two lasers at the same time, and is thus simple and convenient for red hologram recording.•The same red color recording and readout eliminates the conventional hologram distortion due to different recording and readout wavelength.•The red hologram recording may make it useful as an integral part of white light hologram recording and display.
