Efficiency dynamics of diffraction gratings recorded in liquid crystalline composite materials by a UV interference pattern

We have carried out an experimental and theoretical study of the efficiency of diffraction gratings recorded in samples of polymer dispersed liquid crystal pre-syrups by an interference pattern of curing UV light. The theoretical model takes into account the diffusion of excited monomers during the UV curing and the circumstance that the diffusion coefficient is strongly affected by the polymerisation process. The theoretical curves perfectly fit the experimental results and confirm the validity of our model. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.