Diffraction optical structures are the main elements of diffraction optics with the perspectives for application in the systems of filtering, multiplexing, routing, focusing, and collimating of the light, as well as for fabrication of the photonic crystals. Thin films prepared from chalcogenide glasses and polymers were used for the fabrication of diffractive structures by holographic and electron-beam recording technology. The electric field and other technological procedures have been used during the holographic writing process in order to increase the diffraction efficiency and the spatial density of the recording media. The problem of obtaining low-cost but efficient luminescent materials is still present. It was shown that intensive luminescence is manifested from composite materials consisting of arsenic sulfide and arsenic selenide doped with rare-earth ions (Dy³⁺ and Pr³⁺), and polymers polyvinylalcohol or polyvinylpyrrolidone.