Custom Polarization Converter Enables tailored control of spatial polarization

Higher order S-waveplate converts linear polarization to radial or azimuthal polarization AND can generate higher topological charge optical vortices.

MAIN FEATURES

  • Converts linear polarization to radial polarization or azimuthal
  • Can generate higher topological charge optical vortices
  • Converts circular polarization to optical vortex
  • High damage threshold: 63,4 J/cm2 @1064 nm, 10ns and 2,2 J/cm2 @1030 nm, 212fs.
  • 100% polarization conversion
  • Transmission (no AR coating): 94% @ 1st harmonic, 85% @ 3rd harmonic, 92% @ 2nd harmonic, of most SS lasers
  • Large aperture (up to 15 mm; the standard is 6 mm)
  • No glued components – more resistant to heat
  • Continuous pattern – no segments
  • No “ineffective center” problems

Detailed description

Radial polarization converter S-waveplate is the most common available space-variant waveplate. Higher order s-waveplate is similar to ordinary – converts linear polarization to radial or azimuthal polarization. However, this product can generate higher topological charge optical vortices.

Fabrication of higher order S-waveplate is based on the inscription of self-organized nanogratings inside fused silica glass using a femtosecond laser.

Referring to LIDT measurements at fs regime (full report) and ns regime (full report), we’ve observed our s-waveplates has laser irradiation resistance similar to uncoated fused silica substrates.
LIDT value measured at 1064 nm, ~10ns is 63,4 J/cm2 and it is not dropping while increasing exposure time. It proves, our waveplates are very high performance and suitable for high power laser applications.


Examples of fast axis patterns for 2nd (left), 3rd (center) and 4th (right) order S-Waveplates (measured with Hinds Instruments Exicor MicroImager).

Combining HOS with an axicon enables obtaining vector Bessel beams (VBB) that can be used for efficient drilling of transparent materials.

Beam spatial intensity profiles of the1’st, 4’th and 6’th order vector Bessel beams ²
Transparent material modification on the D263t glass sample surface ²

Main benefits

  • Allows focusing into smaller spot size (using NA > 0.9)
  • Ensures the same machining properties in all directions
  • Ensures the same cutting speed in all directions
  • Enable ring-shaped intensity distribution in focus (at NA <0.8)
  • Increases cutting speed
  • Suitable for high LIDT applications
  • Suitable for high power lasers

Application examples

  • STED microscopy
  • Micromachining
  • Micro drilling high-aspect-ratio channels
  • Generate any cylindrical vector vortex
  • Multiple particle trapping
  • Micro-mill is driven by optical tweezers
  • Use as an intracavity polarization-controlling element in cladding-pumped ytterbium-doped fiber laser for radially polarized output beam generation

Download documents and manuals

Methods of use

Cylindrically symmetric polarization (radial or azimuthal) generation.
Following step-by-step procedures must be done in order to generate radial or azimuthal polarization beams.

 Universal approach

  1. Mount a λ/2 waveplate into a kinematic holder.
  2. Place the radial polarization converter into the path of the linearly polarized beam.
  3. Align the center of the converter with the optical axis of the incident laser beam.
  4. Check the alignment with the linear polarizer placed after the converter. The dumbbell shape must be symmetric for all polarizer angles.
  5. Polarization state (radial/azimuthal) of the output beam can be controlled by rotating the converter or the incident polarization (by rotating λ/2 waveplate).
  Simplified approach

  1. Place the radial polarization converter directly into the linearly polarized laser beam.
  2. Align the center of the converter with the optical axis of the incident laser beam.
  3. Check the alignment with the linear polarizer placed after the converter. The dumbbell shape must be symmetric for all polarizer angles.
  4. The polarization state of the output beam can be controlled by rotating the converter or the incident polarization (by rotating λ/2 waveplate placed before converter).

Optical Vortex Generation Using Radial Polarization Converter

Following step-by-step procedures must be done in order to generate an optical vortex beam using a radial converter.

Simplified approach:

  1. Place the radial polarization converter into a circularly polarized laser beam.
  2. Align the center of the converter with the optical axis of the incident laser beam.

Note: The sign of the optical vortex charge „+“, „-“ is controlled by the handedness of the incident circular polarization.

Prices

Product Operational wavelenght Transmission Clear Aperture, mm Price
RPC-488-02 488 nm ±15 nm >70 % 2 1000 Eur
RPC-488-04 488 nm ±15 nm >70 % 4 1200 Eur
RPC-488-06 488 nm ±15 nm >70 % 6 1600 Eur
RPC-488-08 488 nm ±15 nm >70 % 8 1800 Eur
RPC-488-10 488 nm ±15 nm >70 % 10 2400 Eur
RPC-488-15 488 nm ±15 nm >70 % 15 4200 Eur
RPC-515-02 515 nm ±20 nm >80 % 2 1000 Eur
RPC-515-04 515 nm ±20 nm >80 % 4 1200 Eur
RPC-515-06 515 nm ±20 nm >80 % 6 1600 Eur
RPC-515-08 515 nm ±20 nm >80 % 8 1800 Eur
RPC-515-10 515 nm ±20 nm >80 % 10 2400 Eur
RPC-515-15 515 nm ±20 nm >80 % 15 4200 Eur
RPC-632-02 632 nm ±20 nm >85 % 2 1000 Eur
RPC-632-04 632 nm ±20 nm >85 % 4 1500 Eur
RPC-632-06 632 nm ±20 nm >85 % 6 2200 Eur
RPC-632-08 632 nm ±20 nm >85 % 8 2800 Eur
RPC-632-10 632 nm ±20 nm >85 % 10 4200 Eur
RPC-632-15 632 nm ±20 nm >85 % 15 6700 Eur
RPC-800-02 800 nm ±25 nm >85 % 2 1100 Eur
RPC-800-04 800 nm ±25 nm >85 % 4 1500 Eur
RPC-800-06 800 nm ±25 nm >85 % 6 2200 Eur
RPC-800-08 800 nm ±25 nm >85 % 8 2800 Eur
RPC-800-10 800 nm ±25 nm >85 % 10 4200 Eur
RPC-800-15 800 nm ±25 nm >85 % 15 6700 Eur
RPC-1030-02 1030 nm ±35 nm >90 % 2 1100 Eur
RPC-1030-04 1030 nm ±35 nm >90 % 4 1500 Eur
RPC-1030-06 1030 nm ±35 nm >90 % 6 2200 Eur
RPC-1030-08 1030 nm ±35 nm >90 % 8 2800 Eur
RPC-1030-10 1030 nm ±35 nm >90 % 10 4200 Eur
RPC-1030-15 1030 nm ±35 nm >90% 15 6700 Eur
RPC-1550-02 1550 nm ±40 nm >90 % 2 1200 Eur
RPC-1550-04 1550 nm ±40 nm >90 % 4 1600 Eur
RPC-1550-06 1550 nm ±40 nm >90 % 6 2700 Eur
RPC-1550-08 1550 nm ±40 nm >90 % 8 4400 Eur
RPC-1550-10 1550 nm ±40 nm >90 % 10 8200 Eur
RPC-1550-15 1550 nm ±40 nm >90 % 15 10200 Eur

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  21. Mateusz A. Tyrk, Svetlana A. Zolotovskaya, W. Allan Gillespie, and Amin Abdolvand, “Radially and azimuthally polarized laser induced shape transformation of embedded metallic nanoparticles in glass,” Opt. Express 23, 23394-23400 (2015). doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.23.023394 
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