Scalar and vector holographic gratings recorded in a photoanisotropic amorphous As_2S_3 thin film

Theoretical explanations of the kinetics of scalar and vector holographic gratings are developed, and experimental results are obtained in amorphous AS(2)S(3) thin films. The large nonlinear-optical susceptibilities are evaluated from experimental data in the vicinity of the fundamental absorption edge, and it is found that chi((3))(1111) congruent with 3.2 x 10(-2) esu and chi((3))(1122)/chi((3))(1111) congruent with 0.98.