Conjugate diffraction order in a volume holographic off-axis lens

Abstract

The light irradiance in the first-order diffraction of a volume holographic off-axis lens, which gives an approximate spurious focus, is investigated both experimentally (using a holographic lens produced in dichromated gelatin) and analytically. The investigation is done by two methods, first by using a simple ray-tracing technique that takes into account only the diffraction pattern of the output rays and second by solving differential equations of the Raman–Nath type. The predictions of the analyses are compared with the experimentally observed results and show good agreement.