Open AccessHigh efficiency half-wave retardation in diffracted light by coupled waves
Author(s) -
Kalle Ventola,
Jani Tervo,
Samuli Siitonen,
Hemmo Tuovinen,
Markku Kuittinen
Publication year - 2012
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.20.004681
Subject(s) - optics , diffraction , grating , diffraction efficiency , polarization (electrochemistry) , physics , diffraction grating , rigorous coupled wave analysis , ultrasonic grating , light wave , blazed grating , chemistry
We demonstrate high-efficiency half-wave retardation in diffracted light in the 2nd order Littrow mounting. The diffracting structure is a slanted crossed grating with subwavelength period in the direction of the second grating vector, which makes it possible to mix the polarization states of the input light inside the grating layer, and hence to create the half-wave retardation. We present an experimental result with 58.9 % diffraction efficiency and a near perfect half-wave retardation. We explain the effect qualitatively using the classical coupled-wave approach.