Leaky-mode waveguide in layered dielectric gratings

The diffraction of light on the corrugated surface of a layered structure was investigated. It was shown that the excitation of waveguide modes in the layered structure alters significantly the diffraction efficiency of the corrugated structure. It was found that in the autocollimation regime the diffraction efficiency of the grating can reach 100% for moderate depths of the grating grooves. The suitability of a waveguide-grating mirror in dye lasers was demonstrated experimentally.