ABSTRACT
The transmittance, ellipsometric parameters, and depolarization of transmission, diffraction, and reflection of two volume holographic gratings (VHGs) are measured at a wavelength of 632.8 nm. The measured data are in good agreement with the theoretical simulated results, which demonstrated the correlation between the diffraction strength and the polarization properties of a VHG. Vector electromagnetic theory and polarization characterization are necessary for complete interpretation of the diffraction property of a VHG. The diffraction efficiency is measured at 532 nm in a polarization-sensing experiment. The measured data and theoretical simulation have demonstrated the potential application of the holographic beam splitter for polarization-sensor technology.