First prototypes of vortex retarders obtained by polarization holography

Abstract

This paper will present the first prototypes of vortex retarders made of photo-orientable liquid crystals polymers recorded without mechanical action using only polarization holography. Vortex retarders are birefringent plates characterized by a uniform phase retard and a rotation of their fast axis along their center. Liquid crystals are anisotropic molecules possessing birefringent properties. They are locally orientable and their orientation defines the fast axis orientation of the retarder. Their alignment depends on the local orientation of the recording electric field. The superimposition of several polarized beams will be used to shape the electric field to achieve the recording of vortex retarders. The mathematical aspects of the superimposition process, as well as several numerical simulations are exposed. Finally, the first prototypes are presented, characterized and compared to the numerical simulations.