Temperature variation of the photoinduced birefringence of an azo dye doped polymer

The influence of the temperature on the photoinduced birefringence on an azo dye doped polymer film has been studied. Sample is composed of a polymer matrix PVK (Poly(N-vinylcarbazole)), doped with 10 weight percent (wt%) of the birefringent molecule DMNPAA (2,5-dimethyl-4-(p-nitrophenylazo)anisole) and 30 wt% of ECZ (N-ethylcarbazole) which acts as a plasticizer. Theoretical results can explain the behavior of the amplitude of the photoinduced birefringence versus temperature. Experimental and theoretical results are compared. Holographic recording experiments based on photoinduced birefringence have been carried out. Based on the effect of temperature, we have been able to significantly increase the diffraction efficiency of our sample.