Open AccessGeneration of radially polarized beam with a segmented spiral varying retarder
Author(s) -
W. J. Lai,
Brian Y. Lim,
P. B. Phua,
K.S. Tiaw,
H.H. Teo,
Minghui Hong
Publication year - 2008
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.16.015694
Subject(s) - optics , birefringence , linear polarization , retarder , materials science , polarization (electrochemistry) , circular polarization , radial polarization , waveplate , beam (structure) , polarizer , wavelength , elliptical polarization , physics , laser beam quality , laser , laser beams , chemistry , composite material , microstrip
We convert a linearly polarized Gaussian beam into a radially polarized doughnut beam with an eight-segment spirally varying retarder (SVR) at wavelength of 808 nm. The SVR is designed based on the linear birefringence of alpha-barium borate (alpha-BBO) crystal and fabricated using a dry etching process. Radially polarized light of high purity (> 96% at far-field distribution) was generated experimentally using the segmented SVR positioned between two quarter waveplates with orthogonal slow axes. The emergent polarization can be switched between radially and azimuthally polarized cylindrical vector beams with a pair of half-wave plates.