LBTEK-Polymer Achromatic Vortex Retarder

Product Description

Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) / N-BK7 Window, 3-Layer Glass Substrate + 3-Layer LCP Film with Mechanical Housing
Single-Layer LCP Film: Radially Uniform Fast Axis with Continuous Azimuthal Variation, λ/2 Retardance
3-Layer LCP Stack with Achromatic Vortex Retarder Functionality, Generating Vector Polarized Beams and Vortex Beams with Doughnut-Shaped Intensity Distribution within the Operating Wavelength Band
High Efficiency and Stability, Broadband Compatible, Large Acceptance Angle, Ultra-Large Aperture
Operating Wavelengths: 400–700 nm, 600–800 nm, and 700–1100 nm; Topological Charge m: 1
Supports Flexible Customization of Specifications

LBTEK Achromatic Vortex Retarder (AVR) combines an N-BK7 glass substrate with Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) material, comprising three LCP vortex retarders assembled at designed angles within a standard SM1 lens tube. Each single-layer vortex retarder features radially uniform fast axis orientation with continuous azimuthal variation and λ/2 retardance; the three layers are stacked at designed angles to form the overall fast axis orientation and λ/2 retardance of the achromatic vortex retarder. LBTEK AVR achieves spatial light field modulation across the design wavelength band—generating vector polarized beams or vortex beams with helical phase wavefronts depending on the incident polarization state, and converting TEM₀₀ Gaussian beams into doughnut-shaped intensity distributions (for detailed optical properties in Technical Notes). Compared to conventional light field modulation approaches, vortex retarders offer advantages of high efficiency and stability, ease of operation, and dedicated functionality; compared to single-wavelength vortex retarders, the AVR is broadband-compatible and not limited to a specific operating wavelength. LBTEK offers standard AVR models with design wavelength ranges of 400–700 nm, 600–800 nm, and 700–1100 nm, with topological charge m = 1. Flexible customization of specifications is also available—please contact LBTEK Technical Support for details.

Diagram

Attributes

housing SpecificationsSM1-8A Housing

Surface Quality (Scratch/Dig)60/40

Component MaterialLiquid Crystal Polymer/N-BK7 Window

Operating Temperature-20–80 ℃

Component sizeØ25.4 × 2.3 mm

Angle of Incidence (AOI)±15°

Clear ApertureØ21.5 mm

Retardanceλ/2

Achromatic Vortex Retarder, 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
Generates Vortex Beams with l = ±1
Generates Vector Polarized Beams, Including Radially Polarized Beams and Azimuthally Polarized Beams

The overall fast axis of the LBTEK m = 1 achromatic vortex retarder rotates by 180° along the azimuthal direction of the substrate over a 360° central angle, with the pattern under a linear polarizer shown in the figure on the right. The m = 1 achromatic vortex retarder is suitable for incident beams with diameters from Ø0.5 mm to Ø21.5 mm, with a conversion efficiency of ≥ 98%. Within the operating wavelength band, when a circularly polarized beam is incident, it can generate vortex beams with l = ±1; when a linearly polarized beam is incident, it can generate vector polarized beams, including radially polarized beams and azimuthally polarized beams as two special cases. The achromatic vortex retarder is housed in a standard SM1 lens tube, which is labeled with the product name and part number, and features four scribed marks indicating the center of the vortex retarder to facilitate center alignment.

Pattern of the m = 1 Achromatic Vortex Retarder Under Polarized Light

Product Model	Order m	Operating Wavelength	Clear Aperture	Unit Price	Lead Time
AVR1-VIS	1	400–700 nm	Ø21.5 mm	$2,774.33	today	Add Cart
AVR1-VNIR	1	600–800 nm	Ø21.5 mm	$2,774.33	today	Add Cart
AVR1-SNIR	1	700–1100 nm	Ø21.5 mm	$2,774.33	today	Add Cart