Abstract

Novel devices for converting a linear polarization state to radial or azimuthal polarization states are realized by use of space-variant inhomogeneous media on a subwavelength scale. The two designs presented use form birefringence to locally transform the polarization state. The devices are fabricated in a GaAs substrate for operation in the far-infrared wavelength range. The experimental characterization is in good agreement with the designs, demonstrating high conversion efficiency.

© 2004 Optical Society of America

Form-birefringent space-variant inhomogeneous medium element for shaping point-spread functions

Chia-Ho Tsai, Uriel Levy, Lin Pang, and Yeshaiahu Fainman
Appl. Opt. 45(8) 1777-1784 (2006)

Radially and azimuthally polarized beams generated by space-variant dielectric subwavelength gratings

Ze’ev Bomzon, Gabriel Biener, Vladimir Kleiner, and Erez Hasman
Opt. Lett. 27(5) 285-287 (2002)

Formation of linearly polarized light with axial symmetry by use of space-variant subwavelength gratings

Avi Niv, Gabriel Biener, Vladimir Kleiner, and Erez Hasman
Opt. Lett. 28(7) 510-512 (2003)

Computer-generated infrared depolarizer using space-variant subwavelength dielectric gratings

Gabriel Biener, Avi Niv, Vladimir Kleiner, and Erez Hasman
Opt. Lett. 28(16) 1400-1402 (2003)

Pancharatnam–Berry phase in space-variant polarization-state manipulations with subwavelength gratings

Ze’ev Bomzon, Vladimir Kleiner, and Erez Hasman
Opt. Lett. 26(18) 1424-1426 (2001)