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Product Description

Liquid crystal polymer/N-BK7 window material, 3-layer glass substrate + 3-layer LCP film, with mechanical housing
Single-layer LCP film with liquid crystal molecule fast-axis orientation uniformly aligned along the radial direction of the substrate and continuously varying azimuthally, λ/2 retardation
Three-layer LCP films stacked to form an achromatic vortex retarder with overall fast-axis orientation, capable of generating vector polarization beams and vortex beams within the operating wavelength range, exhibiting a center-hole intensity distribution
High efficiency and stability, broad spectrum applicability, large incident angle, applicable forultra-large aperture
Operating wavelength: 400-700 nm, 600-800 nm, 700-1100 nm optional, order m: 1st order
Flexible customization of parameter specifications available

The LBTEK Achromatic Vortex Retarder (AVR) utilizes N-BK7 glass substrates and Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) materials, consisting of three layers of LCP vortex retarders designed and combined at specific angles, housed in a standard SM1 lens tube. Each single-layer vortex retarder features a uniform radial alignment of the liquid crystal molecules' fast axis with a continuous azimuthal gradient, providing a λ/2 retardation. The three-layer vortex retarders are stacked at designed angles to form the overall fast axis orientation and λ/2 retardation of the achromatic vortex retarder. The LBTEK Achromatic Vortex Retarder enables spatial light field modulation across different wavelengths within the designed spectral range. Depending on the polarization state of the incident beam, it can be used to generate vector-polarized beams or vortex beams with spiral phase fronts, converting TEM00 Gaussian beams into "hollow-core" intensity distribution beams (see detailed optical characteristics in the technical specifications). Compared to traditional light field modulation methods, vortex retarders offer advantages such as high efficiency, stability, ease of operation, and dedicated functionality. In contrast to single-wavelength vortex retarders, the achromatic vortex retarder is not limited to specific working wavelengths and is suitable for broadband light sources. LBTEK standard achromatic vortex retarders are available in design wavelength ranges of 400-700 nm, 600-800 nm, and 700-1100 nm, with an order of m=1. Customized parameter specifications are also supported. For details, please consult LBTEK Technical Support.

Attribute

housing SpecificationsSM1-8A Housing

Surface finish (scratches/pits)60/40

Component MaterialLiquid Crystal Polymer/N-BK7 Window Plate

Operating Temperature-20~80 ℃

Component sizeØ25.4×2.3 mm

Angle of Incidence (AOI)±15 °

Clear ApertureØ21.5 mm

Latencyλ/2

Achromatic Vortex Waveplates, m=1

Applicable to Incident Light with Diameters Ø0.5~Ø21.5 mm
Suitable for Wavelength Ranges of 400-700 nm, 600-800 nm, and 700-1100 nm
Generation of Vortex Beams with l=±1
Produces vector polarization beams, including radial polarization beams and azimuthal polarization beams

The overall fast axis of the LBTEK m=1 achromatic vortex waveplate rotates by 180° within a 360° central angle along the azimuthal direction of the substrate. Its morphology under a linear polarizer is shown in the right figure. The m=1 achromatic vortex waveplate is suitable for incident light with diameters ranging from Ø0.5 mm to Ø21.5 mm, achieving a conversion efficiency of ≥98%. Within the operating wavelength range, when illuminated with circularly polarized light, it can generate vortex beams with l=±1; when illuminated with linearly polarized light, it can produce vector-polarized beams, including two special cases: radially polarized beams and azimuthally polarized beams. The achromatic vortex waveplate is housed in a standard SM1 lens tube enclosure, which is labeled with the product name and model number. Four engraved lines mark the center point of the vortex waveplate to facilitate customer alignment.

m=1 achromatic vortex waveplate morphology under polarized light

Product Model	Order m	Operating Wavelength	Clear Aperture	Unit Price	Lead Time
AVR1-VIS	1	400-700 nm	Ø21.5 mm	$2773.8	4 weeks
AVR1-VNIR	1	600-800 nm	Ø21.5 mm	$2773.8	4 weeks
AVR1-SNIR	1	700-1100 nm	Ø21.5 mm	$2773.8	4 weeks

Polymer Achromatic Vortex Retarders