Diffraction Efficiency of Bleached, Photographically Recorded Interference Patterns

Abstract

An experimental study has been made of techniques that can increase the diffraction efficiency of photographically recorded three-dimensional interference patterns. The efficiency is increased by using bleaching processes that convert the silver image into a dielectric image. Diffraction efficiency vs transmittance curves, chemical formulas of some bleaches, and the bleaching procedures are given. A maximum efficiency of 60% has been achieved. Applications to holography and partitioned zone plates are demonstrated.