Infrared quarter-wave reflection retarders designed with high-spatial-frequency dielectric surface-relief gratings on a gold substrate at oblique incidence

Abstract

One-and two-dimensional high-spatial-frequency dielectric surface-relief gratings on a Au substrate are used to design a high-reflectance quarter-wave retarder at 70°angle of incidence and 10.6-m light wavelength. The equivalent homogeneous anisotropic layer model is used. It is shown that equal and high reflectances ͑Ͼ98.5%͒ for the p and the s polarizations and quarter-wave retardation can be achieved with two-dimensional ZnS surface-relief gratings. Sensitivities to changes of incidence angle, light wavelength, grating filling factor, and grating layer thickness are considered.

Photoinduced Surface Relief Grating on Amorphous Poly(4-phenylazophenol) Films

“…This process could be a very useful means to fabricate various complex diffractive optical elements, e.g. infrared waveplates, grating filters, waveguide couplers, and high efficiency gratings for laser and optical applications. − …”

Broadband infrared meanderline reflective quarter-wave plate

“…Reflective quarter-wave plates (QWPs) for the infrared (IR) have utilized several different technologies to achieve circularly polarized (CP) light upon reflection [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. For instance, reflective prisms [1,2] with or without thin-film interference layers [3,4] have been demonstrated to provide a π/2 phase shift between orthogonal field components over a broad spectrum of IR wavelengths.…”

“…For instance, reflective prisms [1,2] with or without thin-film interference layers [3,4] have been demonstrated to provide a π/2 phase shift between orthogonal field components over a broad spectrum of IR wavelengths. Additionally, microstructured surfaces have been shown to produce QWP behavior over a narrow band typically centered on 10.6 μm while simultaneously achieving high reflectivity [5][6][7]. Their intended application is industrial CO 2laser welding and machining, since the focused spot from CP radiation has excellent uniformity [5,6,8].…”

“…Additionally, microstructured surfaces have been shown to produce QWP behavior over a narrow band typically centered on 10.6 μm while simultaneously achieving high reflectivity [5][6][7]. Their intended application is industrial CO 2laser welding and machining, since the focused spot from CP radiation has excellent uniformity [5,6,8]. Although the aforementioned devices are well-suited for their intended applications, they do have a few drawbacks.…”

“…Although the aforementioned devices are well-suited for their intended applications, they do have a few drawbacks. In particular, the reflective QWP prisms are quite bulky and expensive, and the reflective microstructured phase retarders are typically optimized only for a narrow spectrum around the design wavelength [5,6]. Ideally, a component would combine a low-cost compact planar structure with broadband performance.…”