Diffraction theories for off-Bragg replay: J.T. Sheridan's seminal work and consequences

TL;DR

This paper reviews John T. Sheridan's diffraction theories for off-Bragg replay, emphasizing their validity and advantages over Kogelnik's theory in characterizing optical holographic gratings.

Contribution

It critically assesses Sheridan's diffraction approach, demonstrating its practical usefulness and highlighting its superiority in certain holographic applications.

Findings

Sheridan's theory aligns well with recent experimental data

It offers a more accurate description of off-Bragg diffraction

The paper advocates for broader adoption of Sheridan's approach

Abstract

Based on the seminal work by John T. Sheridan [1] we discuss the usefulness and validity of simple diffraction theories frequently used to determine and characterize optical holographic gratings. Experimental investigations obtained in recent years highlight the correctness of his analysis which favours an alternative approach over the most widely used Kogelnik theory.