Daisuke SAKAI, Kenji HARADA, Shun-ichi KAMEMARU, Mohamed A. EL-MORSY¹, Masahide ITOH² and Toyohiko YATAGAI²

Department of Computer Science, Kitami Institute of Technology, 165 Koen-cho, Kitami, Hokkaido 090-8507, Japan
¹Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta, University of Mansoura, Damietta, Egypt
²Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8573, Japan

(Received July 12, 2005; Accepted July 29, 2005)

We propose a direct fabrication of light diffusers using azobenzene polymer films. Holographic recordings of surface relief diffusers are formed on the polymer film by exposure to an Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) through source diffusion materials. No post-treatment is needed, and it can be erased by heating or irradiating uniform laser beam. Diffusion pattern can be controlled by the polarization of the laser. Transmittance of over 88% is obtained at the wavelength of 633 nm.

Key words: azobenzene, polymer, surface relief, light diffuser, holographic diffuser