Open AccessPolarization selective computer-generated holograms realized in glass by femtosecond laser induced nanogratings
Author(s) -
Wenjian Cai,
Ariel R. Libertun,
Rafael Piestun
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.14.003785
Subject(s) - optics , materials science , holography , femtosecond , birefringence , laser , polarization (electrochemistry) , waveplate , optoelectronics , physics , chemistry
We demonstrate polarization selective computer-generated holograms (PSCGH) for visible light operation fabricated in glass by a femtosecond laser. For this purpose we create arrays of tailored microwaveplates by controlling the laser formation of nanogratings embedded in fused silica. A birefringent cell-oriented encoding method adapted to the characteristics of the physical writing process is proposed and implemented. According to this method, each cell contains a micro-waveplate with controlled phase retardation and orientation. A detour of each microwaveplate, combined with the orientation of its principal optical axis, simultaneously realizes a different phase function for each polarization. PSCGH's are attractive for integration with other free-space and guided-wave devices embedded in glass.