A. Miniewicz, B. Sahraoui, E. Schab-Balcerzak, A. Sobolewska, A. C. Mitus and F. Kajzar

The inscription of surface relief gratings (SRGs) and polarization gratings on azo-polymers utilizing an interference of two-laser beams delivered by 16ps pulsed Nd:YAG laser was investigated. Short light pulses of 532 nm wavelength induced trans ´cis photoizomerization cycles of azo-dye covalently attached to the polymer main chains resulting in formation of bulk refractive index, SRGs and/or absorption gratings depending on mutual polarization of the interfering photons p -p or s -p and experimental conditions. The dynamics of grating inscription at 532 nm with 10 Hz pulse repetition rate was probed via diffraction of non-absorbed 632.8 nm light. The short time (<ns) response and long time response (>seconds) were clearly identified. With the help of Atomic Force Microscope we investigated the surface profiles obtained at various pulse energies.