Primary photochemical process in chromium doped polymeric material: interactivity with holography

A comparative investigation of the photochemical behavior of dichromated gelatin (DCG), dichromated polyacrylic acid (DCPAA) and dichromated polyvinylalcohol (DCPVA) gives evidence for the similarity of the photochemical behaviour involved when recording holograms in DCG and DCPVA. Chromium (V), the chromium species resulting from the photoredox process between the starting chromium (VI) (dichromate) and the polymeric chain, is stable, likely strongly complexed in gelatin and polyvinylalcohol. The quantum yields of the reaction are high and similar for both reactions. On the contrary, even though chromium (V) is also formed during the primary process in DCPAA, this species is quite unstable and disappears as soon s the irradiation is stopped. The behavior observed in DCG can be assigned to the presence of CM groups on the polymeric chain, these groups being the only groups present in polyvinylalcohol.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.