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Vortex Waveplates and Phase Plates are advanced optical components designed to generate vortex beams and vector-polarized beams by introducing azimuthally varying phase or retardation across the beam profile. These devices transform a standard Gaussian beam (TEM₀₀) into a donut-shaped intensity distribution with a helical phase front, enabling precise beam shaping and orbital angular momentum (OAM) generation.

Vortex Waveplate Array

The Vortex Waveplate Array integrates multiple vortex waveplate elements with different topological charges into a compact array format, enabling simultaneous generation of multiple vortex beam modes. Fabricated on an N-BK7 glass substrate with a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) layer, it provides uniform λ/2 retardation and high-efficiency beam conversion.

Polymer Vortex Waveplate

The Polymer Vortex Waveplate is constructed using a sandwich structure of front and rear glass substrates with a central liquid crystal polymer (LCP) functional layer. The fast-axis orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is radially aligned and continuously varies along the azimuthal direction, enabling precise phase modulation and vortex beam generation.

Polymer Achromatic Vortex Waveplate

The Achromatic Vortex Waveplate is designed for broadband operation with stable retardation across a wide wavelength range. The fast-axis orientation rotates continuously over 360° azimuth, ensuring consistent vortex beam generation within the specified spectral band.

Spiral Phase Plate

The Spiral Phase Plate is a diffractive optical element designed to generate vortex beams by introducing a helical phase modulation through controlled height variation along the azimuthal direction. When a plane wave passes through the plate, it transforms into a vortex beam with a spiral phase front and a central dark core.

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  • Precise Polarization Control – Accurately modifies the polarization state of light
  • Flexible Polarization Conversion – Converts linear, circular, and elliptical polarization efficiently
  • High Optical Transmission – Minimal optical loss with excellent beam quality preservation
  • High Retardation Accuracy – Stable and consistent phase delay performance
  • Low Dispersion (Zero-Order & Achromatic Types) – Reliable performance across varying wavelengths
  • Broadband Operation (Achromatic Waveplates) – Uniform retardation over a wide spectral range
  • Stable Performance – Less sensitive to temperature and wavelength variations
  • High Laser Damage Threshold – Suitable for high-power laser applications
  • Efficient Beam Shaping (Vortex Waveplates) – Generates vortex and vector beams with high efficiency
  • Compact and Easy Integration – Compatible with standard optical mounts and systems
  • Excellent Optical Stability – Long-term durability in laboratory and industrial environments
  • Multiple Wavelength Availability – Suitable for UV, Visible, and NIR laser systems
  • Customizable Retardance Options – Available in λ/2, λ/4, and custom retardation designs
  • Large Incident Angle Tolerance (Polymer & Vortex Types) – Maintains performance under varying beam angles
  • High Conversion Efficiency – Especially for vortex and polarization-sensitive applications
  • Suitable for Precision Applications – Ideal for microscopy, quantum optics, and photonics research
  • Robust and Durable Construction – High-quality materials ensure long service life
  • Versatile Application Compatibility – Works with lasers, imaging systems, spectroscopy, and optical experiments

Specifications

Optical Specifications

  • Optical Type: Waveplates (Half-Wave, Quarter-Wave, Zero-Order, Achromatic, Vortex)
  • Optical Retardance Options:
      • λ/2 (Half-Wave Plate)
      • λ/4 (Quarter-Wave Plate)
      • Custom Retardance (on request)
  • Available Wavelength Range:
      • UV: 266 nm, 355 nm
      • Visible: 405 nm, 488 nm, 515 nm, 532 nm, 633 nm
      • NIR: 780 nm, 800 nm, 940 nm, 1030 nm, 1064 nm, 1310 nm, 1550 nm
  • Retardation Accuracy: High precision (model dependent)
  • Transmission: High (>95% typical, wavelength dependent)
  • Polarization Conversion Efficiency: Up to ≥98% (Vortex & Achromatic types)
  • Dispersion:
      • Ultra-low (Zero-Order)
      • Broadband compensated (Achromatic)

Mechanical Specifications

  • Mounting Dimensions (mm):
      • 12.7 mm
      • 25.4 mm (1 inch standard)
      • 30.0 mm
      • 30.48 mm
      • Custom sizes available
  • Thickness (Typical): 2.0 mm – 3.2 mm (model dependent)
  • Clear Aperture (mm):
      • 6.0 mm
      • 8.0 mm
      • 10.0 mm
      • 11.5 mm
      • 12.7 mm
      • 18.0 mm
      • 21.5 mm
      • 22.6 mm
      • 24.0 mm
      • 17.0 mm / >18.0 mm (depending on model)

Material & Construction

  • Substrate Materials:
      • Quartz / Crystal
      • N-BK7 Optical Glass
      • UV Fused Silica
      • Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) (for Vortex Waveplates)
  • Coating Type: Anti-Reflection (AR) Coated / Custom Coatings
  • Design Types:
      • Zero-Order
      • Multi-Order
      • Achromatic
      • Polymer Vortex
  • Spiral Phase Plate (Diffractive Type)
  • Vortex & Specialized Waveplate Specifications (if applicable)
  • Topological Charge (Order):
      • m = 1 to 9 (Arrays)
      • m = 1 to 128 (Polymer Vortex Models)
  • Beam Diameter Compatibility: Ø0.5 mm to Ø21.5 mm
  • Conversion Efficiency: ≥98% (model dependent)
  • Mounting Compatibility: SM1 Lens Tube / Custom Mount
  • Environmental & Performance Specifications
  • Laser Damage Threshold (LIDT): High (laser-grade optics)
  • Operating Temperature Stability: High thermal stability (Zero-Order & Achromatic)
  • Wavelength Stability: Low wavelength sensitivity (Achromatic & Zero-Order)
  • Optical Surface Quality: High precision polished optics
  • Durability: Long-term stable performance in laboratory and industrial environments

Available Configurations

  • Half-Wave Plates (λ/2)
  • Quarter-Wave Plates (λ/4)
  • Zero-Order Waveplates
  • Achromatic Waveplates
  • Polymer Vortex Waveplates
  • Vortex Waveplate Arrays
  • Custom Waveplates (Wavelength, Retardance, Size on request)

Applications

  • Laser Polarization Control in Optical Systems
  • Beam Steering and Polarization Rotation (λ/2 Waveplates)
  • Linear to Circular Polarization Conversion (λ/4 Waveplates)
  • Circular to Linear Polarization Conversion
  • Ultrafast and Solid-State Laser Systems
  • Quantum Optics and Photonics Research
  • Nonlinear Optics Experiments
  • Optical Communication and Fiber Optic Systems
  • Microscopy and Imaging Systems (Confocal, Fluorescence, Polarization Microscopy)
  • Spectroscopy and Optical Analysis
  • Laser Modulation and Beam Conditioning
  • Optical Tweezers and Particle Manipulation (Vortex Waveplates)
  • Beam Shaping and Mode Conversion (Gaussian to Vortex Beam)
  • Generation of Radial and Azimuthal Polarized Beams
  • Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) Beam Generation
  • Holography and Interferometry
  • Metrology and Precision Optical Measurements
  • Semiconductor and Laser Processing Applications
  • Biomedical and Life Science Optical Instruments
  • Research Laboratories and Academic Optical Setups
  • Aerospace and Defense Optical Systems
  • Surface Profiling and Advanced Imaging
  • Optical Instrument Calibration and Testing
  • Broadband Polarization Control (Achromatic Waveplates)
  • High-Precision Experiments Requiring Stable Retardation (Zero-Order Waveplates)

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