Abstract: Described herein are compositions that are photorefractive upon irradiation by multiple laser wavelengths across the visible light spectrum. Embodiments of the photorefractive composition comprise a polymer, a chromophore, and a sensitizer, wherein the polymer comprises a repeating unit including at least a moiety selected from the group consisting of the formulae (Ia), (Ib) and (Ic), as defined herein. The photorefractive composition can be used in optical devices.

Abstract: Described herein are optical devices comprising a photorefractive layer and at least two inert layers, such that the photorefractive layer is sandwiched between the two inert layers. The photorefractive layer may include a photorefractive composition that is photorefractive upon irradiation by a laser beam. In some embodiments, the photorefractive composition is formulated such that a grating that is irradiated into the photorefractive composition can be read out of the photorefractive composition without applying an external bias voltage. Furthermore, a grating that is written into the composition may be controlled using thermal treatment.

Abstract: A method for modulating light, comprising the steps of providing a photorefractive composition containing a sensitizer and a polymer, wherein the sensitizer includes at least one selected from the group consisting of anthraquinone, -nitro-9-fluorenone and 2,7-dinitro-9-fluorenone and irradiating the photorefractive composition with a laser. The photorefractive composition provides a grating without using an external bias voltage.

Abstract: A method for forming a grating in a photorefractive composition comprising the steps of: providing a photorefractive composition containing a sensitizer and a polymer, wherein the polymer includes a first repeating unit which includes a moiety selected from the group consisting of the formulae (Ia), (Ib) and (Ic) as defined herein; and irradiating the photorefractive composition with a near infrared (NIR) laser, wherein the composition provides long grating holding time and the grating signal can be read out without external bias voltage.

Abstract: A photorefractive composition that is photorefractive upon irradiation by a near infrared (NIR) laser. The photorefractive composition comprises a sensitizer and a polymer comprising a repeating unit including at least a moiety selected from the group consisting of the formulae (Ia), (Ib) and (Ic), as defined herein. The photorefractive composition can be used in optical devices.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a photorefractive composition configured to be photorefractive upon irradiation by a blue laser. The photorefractive composition comprises a polymer comprising a repeating unit including at least a moiety selected from the group consisting of the formulas (Ia), (Ib) and (Ic), as defined herein.