0000000000241982
AUTHOR
Asticio Vargas
Vortex beam generation and other advanced optics experiments reproduced with a twisted-nematic liquid-crystal display with limited phase modulation
In this work we propose the use of twisted-nematic liquid-crystal spatial light modulators (TN-LC-SLM) as a useful tool for training students in the manipulation of light beams with phase-only masks. In particular, we focus the work on the realization of phase-only gratings and phase-only spiral phases for the generation of vortex beams, beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM). Despite the extensive activity in this field, its experimental implementation for educational purposes is limited because it requires the use of very expensive high-resolution liquid-crystal on silicon (LCOS) SLMs. Here, we show that a low-cost experimental implementation can be done with older TNLC technology.…
Achromatic linear retarder with tunable retardance
We present a universal design and proof-of-concept of a tunable linear retarder of uniform wavelength response in a broad spectral range. It consists of two half-wave retarders (HWR) between two quarter-wave retarders (QWRs), where the uniform retardance can be tuned continuously by simply rotating one of the HWRs. A proof-of-concept of this design is built by using commercially available Fresnel rhomb retarders that provide retardation with almost wavelength uniformity in the visible and near infrared from 450 to 1550 nm. The design is universal, since other achromatic QWRs and HWRs could also be employed. The system is experimentally demonstrated to control the state of polarization of a …
Optical System For Measuring The Spectral Retardance Function In An Extended Range
Optical retarders are key elements for the control of the state of polarization of light, and their wavelength dependance is of great importance in a number of applications. We apply a well-known technique for determinig the spectral retardance by measuring the transmission spectra between crossed or parallel polarizers. But we we develop an optical system to perform this measurement in a wide spectral range covering the visible (VIS) and near infrared (NIR) spectrum in the range from 400 to 1600 nm. As a result we can measure the spectral retardance of different retarders and easily identify the kind of reterder (multiple order, zero-order, achromatic). We show results with tunable liquid-…
Solc filters in a reflective geometry
We present the realization of a bulk optics birefringent Solc filter in a reflective geometry. This geometry reduces by half the number of required retarders, ensures the same spectral retardance function in pairs of retarders, and helps to make more compact filters. The key element is a quarter-wave Fresnel rhomb located in between the set of retarders and a mirror. Two cases are considered: the first Solc filter uses multiple-order quartz retarders, and the second one uses two liquid-crystal retarders. The latter has the advantage of being tunable via an applied voltage. Experimental results show how to filter the spectral content of a supercontinuum laser.
Analysis of multiple internal reflections in a parallel aligned liquid crystal on silicon SLM
Multiple internal reflection effects on the optical modulation of a commercial reflective parallel-aligned liquid-crystal on silicon (PAL-LCoS) spatial light modulator (SLM) are analyzed. The display is illuminated with different wavelengths and different angles of incidence. Non-negligible Fabry-Perot (FP) effect is observed due to the sandwiched LC layer structure. A simplified physical model that quantitatively accounts for the observed phenomena is proposed. It is shown how the expected pure phase modulation response is substantially modified in the following aspects: 1) a coupled amplitude modulation, 2) a non-linear behavior of the phase modulation, 3) some amount of unmodulated light…