Open AccessAnalysis of multilevel spiral phase plates using a Dammann vortex sensing grating
Author(s) -
Allan N. Zhang,
Jeffrey A. Davis,
Ignacio Moreno,
Don M. Cottrell,
Xiaocong Yuan
Publication year - 2010
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.18.025987
Subject(s) - optical vortex , optics , diffraction , vortex , grating , diffraction grating , diffraction efficiency , physics , harmonics , fresnel diffraction , phase (matter) , apodization , spiral (railway) , materials science , beam (structure) , mathematics , mathematical analysis , quantum mechanics , voltage , thermodynamics
Optical vortices can be easily generated using a multilevel spiral phase plate (SPP). However the quality of the generated vortex beam depends on the number of phase segments. We review the theory for this multilevel SPP using a Fourier expansion of integer topological charged vortices. We then experimentally examine the validity of this expansion using a fabricated Dammann vortex diffraction grating spectrum analyzer. The Dammann vortex diffraction grating is fabricated using SU-8 photoresist on glass substrate and yields uniform diffraction efficiency across a desired number of diffracted orders. Experimental results show the extra angular harmonics of a multilevel SPP and agree with the theory.