Holographic grating formation in dye doped polymer dispersed liquid crystals

We report a detailed investigation on holographic grating formation in dye-doped polymer dispersed liquid crystals. Both optical and scanning electron microscope measurements have been carried out. All the experimental data support the idea that a photorefractive-like effect is the basic mechanism of the optical storage effect, while it is demonstrated that neither droplets' size or shape effects, nor dye or polymer reorientation are involved in the process.