Abstract: High performance media suitable for recording with a blue laser is disclosed. The blue-sensitized holographic media provides greater dynamic range and higher sensitivity than previously disclosed blue-sensitized holographic media. These media can be used for diverse applications such as data storage where the articles provide denser data storage and more rapid hologram writing times or for optical waveguides where the articles provide greater optical confinement and more rapid manufacturing times.

Abstract: High performance media suitable for recording with a blue laser is disclosed. The blue-sensitized holographic media provides greater dynamic range and higher sensitivity than previously disclosed blue-sensitized holographic media. These media can be used for diverse applications such as data storage where the articles provide denser data storage and more rapid hologram writing times or for optical waveguides where the articles provide greater optical confinement and more rapid manufacturing times.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a multi-layer optical article includes grasping an outer surface of a first substrate with a first holder, whereby the outer surface of the first substrate is held to an inner surface of the first holder, grasping an outer surface of a second substrate with a second holder, whereby the outer surface of the second substrate is held to an inner surface of the second holder, arranging the inner surfaces of the holders to face one another, arranging at least one spacer element between the holders, disposing an adherent on the inner surface of one of the substrates, moving the holders together such that the holders contact the at least one spacer and the substrates contact the adherent, and at least partially curing the adherent while the inner surfaces of the holders are in a selected angular relationship.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a multilayer optical articles. A method comprises forming a first multilayer article with a first substrate and a second substrate with a first adherent disposed between the first and second substrate. A first surface of a third substrate is then grasped with a first holder and a second adherent is then disposed on one or more surfaces selected from a second surface of the third substrate and a surface of the first multilayer article while the multilayer article is grasped by a second holder. The second adherent is then at least partially cured while the first and second holders maintain their grasp and while the inner surfaces of the first and second holders are in the selected angular relationship to form a second multilayer article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution to the needs described above through a method for forming multiply patterned optical articles. The method comprises providing a micromold having a pre-patterned surface structure, disposing a photorecording medium comprising a matrix precursor and a photoactive monomer on a holder surface, moving the micromold to the photorecording medium on the holder surface such that the pre-patterned surface structure contacts the photorecording medium, wherein the photorecording medium conforms to the pre-patterned surface structure of the micromold, at least partially curing the photorecording medium adherent while the micromold pre-patterned surface structure contacts the photorecording medium, and further patterning the photorecording medium by irradiating the photorecording medium with laser light to polymerize the photoactive monomer.

Abstract: The optical article of the invention, e.g., holographic recording medium or polymeric waveguide, is formed by mixing a matrix precursor and a photoactive monomer, and curing the mixture to form the matrix in situ. The reaction by which the matrix precursor is polymerized during the cure is independent from the reaction by which the photoactive monomer is polymerized during writing of data. In addition, the matrix polymer and the polymer resulting from polymerization of the photoactive monomer are compatible with each other. Use of a matrix precursor and photoactive monomer that polymerize by independent reactions substantially prevents cross-reaction between the photoactive monomer and the matrix precursor during the cure and inhibition of subsequent monomer polymerization. Use of a matrix precursor and photoactive monomer that result in compatible polymers substantially avoids phase separation. And in situ formation allows fabrication of articles with desirable thicknesses.

Abstract: Holographic articles having self-sealing properties such as moisture resistance and environmental durability are disclosed. The holographic articles are formed by the reaction of a composition containing an excess amount (i.e. non-stoichiometric amount) of polyisocyanates to polyols. The holographic recording articles exhibit high optical clarity and low scattering.

Abstract: A holographic storage medium, a method of manufacturing the holographic storage medium and a holographic storage device incorporating the storage medium. In one embodiment, the holographic storage medium includes: (1) first and second spaced-apart substrates, the first substrate being plastic and (2) a photopolymer core located between said first and second substrates and having a coefficient of thermal expansion such that said first and second substrates and said photopolymer core cooperate to respond substantially isotropically to a change in temperature.

Abstract: Holographic articles having self-sealing properties such as moisture resistance and environmental durability are disclosed. The holographic articles are formed by the reaction of a composition containing an excess amount (i.e. non-stoichiometric amount) of polyisocyanates to polyols. The holographic recording articles exhibit high optical clarity and low scattering.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution to the needs described above through a method for forming multiply patterned optical articles. The method comprises providing a micromold having a pre-patterned surface structure, disposing a photorecording medium comprising a matrix precursor and a photactive monomer on a holder surface, moving the micromold to the photorecording medium on the holder surface such that the pre-patterned surface structure contacts the photorecording medium, wherein the photorecording medium conforms to the pre-patterned surface structure of the micromold, at least partially curing the photorecording medium adherent while the micromold pre-patterned surface structure contacts the photorecording medium, and further patterning the photorecording medium by irradiating the photorecording medium with laser light to polymerize the photoactive monomer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a multilayer optical articles. A method comprises forming a first multilayer article with a first substrate, first adherent, and second substrate using a first holder and a second holder. The method further comprises forming a second multilayer article with the first multilayer article, a second adherent, and a third substrate using the first holder and second holder to grasp the second multilayer article. After removal of the first and second holders, the first and second adherent maintains the second multilayer article in a posture at which the second multilayer article was held by the first and second holders, wherein the first and second adherent comprise a photopolymer such that the article is capable of storing data in a reflective holographic data storage system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution to the needs described above through method and apparatus for an encased optical article. The outer surface of a first substrate is grasp with a first holder, whereby the outer surface of the first substrate is held to an inner surface of the first holder. The outer surface of a second substrate is grasp with a second holder, whereby the outer surface of the second substrate is held to an inner surface of the second holder. The inner surfaces of the first and second holders are arranged to face one another in a selected angular relationship, and an optical article is inserted between the first and second substrate, wherein a first layer of adherent is between a first surface of the optical article and the inner surface of the first substrate, and a second layer of adherent is between a second surface of the optical article and the inner surface of the second substrate.

Abstract: The optical article of the invention, e.g., holographic recording medium or polymeric waveguide, is formed by mixing a matrix precursor and a photoactive monomer, and curing the mixture to form the matrix in situ. The reaction by which the matrix precursor is polymerized during the cure is independent from the reaction by which the photoactive monomer is polymerized during writing of data. In addition, the matrix polymer and the polymer resulting from polymerization of the photoactive monomer are compatible with each other. Use of a matrix precursor and photoactive monomer that polymerize by independent reactions substantially prevents cross-reaction between the photoactive monomer and the matrix precursor during the cure and inhibition of subsequent monomer polymerization. Use of a matrix precursor and photoactive monomer that result in compatible polymers substantially avoids phase separation. And in situ formation allows fabrication of articles with desirable thicknesses.

Abstract: The optical article of the invention, e.g., holographic recording medium or polymeric waveguide, is formed by mixing a matrix precursor and a photoactive monomer, and curing the mixture to form the matrix in situ. The reaction by which the matrix precursor is polymerized during the cure is independent from the reaction by which the photoactive monomer is polymerized during writing of data. In addition, the matrix polymer and the polymer resulting from polymerization of the photoactive monomer are compatible with each other. Use of a matrix precursor and photoactive monomer that polymerize by independent reactions substantially prevents cross-reaction between the photoactive monomer and the matrix precursor during the cure and inhibition of subsequent monomer polymerization. Use of a matrix precursor and photoactive monomer that result in compatible polymers substantially avoids phase separation. And in situ formation allows fabrication of articles with desirable thicknesses.

Abstract: A holographic storage medium, a method of manufacturing the holographic storage medium and a holographic storage device incorporating the storage medium. In one embodiment, the holographic storage medium includes: (1) first and second spaced-apart substrates, the first substrate being plastic and (2) a photopolymer core located between said first and second substrates and having a coefficient of thermal expansion such that said first and second substrates and said photopolymer core cooperate to respond substantially isotropically to a change in temperature.

Abstract: A holographic storage medium, a method of manufacturing the holographic storage medium and a holographic storage device incorporating the storage medium. In one embodiment, the holographic storage medium includes: (1) first and second spaced-apart substrates, the first substrate being plastic and (2) a photopolymer core located between said first and second substrates and having a coefficient of thermal expansion such that said first and second substrates and said photopolymer core cooperate to respond substantially isotropically to a change in temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to use of a material containing a polymerizable monomer or oligomer, the material exhibiting desirable shrinkage compensation upon polymerization. The material contains an expansion agent having a cleaving moiety with the capacity to be cleaved or fragmented by a catalytic reaction, e.g., acid catalysis. The cleavage, by increasing the number of molecules in the material, causes expansion that compensates, at least in part, for shrinkage induced by polymerization of the monomer or oligomer. The expansion agent is capable of providing compensation such that no more than 0.4%, advantageously no more than 0.2%, volume shrinkage per molar concentration of polymerized monomer functional groups occurs, where such compensation is performed at relatively low temperatures of less than 40° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to use of a material containing a polymerizable monomer or oligomer, the material exhibiting desirable shrinkage compensation upon polymerization. The material contains an expansion agent having a cleaving moiety with the capacity to be cleaved or fragmented by a catalytic reaction, e.g., acid catalysis. The cleavage, by increasing the number of molecules in the material, causes expansion that compensates, at least in part, for shrinkage induced by polymerization of the monomer or oligomer. The expansion agent is capable of providing compensation such that no more than 0.4%, advantageously no more than 0.2%, volume shrinkage per molar concentration of polymerized monomer functional groups occurs, where such compensation is performed at relatively low temperatures of less than 40.degree. C.

Abstract: The photorecording medium of the invention is formed by mixing a matrix precursor and a photoactive monomer, and curing the mixture to form the matrix in situ. The reaction by which the matrix precursor is polymerized during the cure is independent from the reaction by which the photoactive monomer is polymerized during writing of data. In addition, the matrix polymer and the polymer resulting from polymerization of the photoactive monomer are compatible with each other. Use of a matrix precursor and photoactive monomer that polymerize by independent reactions substantially prevents cross-reaction between the photoactive monomer and the matrix precursor during the cure and inhibition of subsequent monomer polymerization. Use of a matrix precursor and photoactive monomer that result in compatible polymers substantially avoids phase separation. And in situ formation allows fabrication of media with desirable thicknesses.

Abstract: Anisotropic mechanical properties of thin films are measured by exciting time-dependent waveguide acoustic modes in the thin film sample with a pair of excitation pulses from an excitation laser. The waveguide acoustic modes are then optically detected by diffracting a probe laser beam off the excited modes. The probe beam is detected to generate an electronic signal. The anisotropic moduli and related properties in the film are determined by analyzing the electronic signal using a mathematical inversion procedure.