Vortex Waveplate

A vortex waveplate is a special polarization optical element based on a space-variant retarder (SVR) structure, capable of spatially modulating the polarization state of incident laser light to generate structured light fields such as radial polarization, azimuthal polarization, higher-order cylindrical vector polarization, and optical vortices. Standard vortex waveplates can convert linearly polarized light into radially or azimuthally polarized light, and can convert circularly polarized light into optical vortices. Higher-order vortex waveplates (Higher-Order S-Waveplate) further support converting linearly polarized light into higher-order spatial polarization distributions and can generate optical vortices with higher topological charges. The topological charge range of higher-order products can reach 2–100. The products use femtosecond lasers to write self-organized nanogratings inside fused silica to form space-variant birefringent structures. The functional structure is located inside the glass with no cemented components, combining high transmittance, a high laser damage threshold, and good thermal stability, making it suitable for high-power and ultrafast laser systems.