Permanent polarization gratings in photosensitive Langmuir-Blodgett films for polarimetric applications

The study of a diffractive device for polarimetric applications is reported. The device consists of a diffraction grating recorded by two interfering opposite circularly polarized beams and is based on a Langmuir-Blodgett film of an azo-compound material. This material provides long-time stability and high photoinduced birefringence that makes the grating highly diffraction efficient. We show how polarization gratings permanently stored in these films are suitable for applications as photopolarimeter components.