applied

sciences
Article
Generating Radially and Azimuthally
Polarized Beams by Using a Pair of Lateral
Displacement Beamsplitters
Chien-Yuan Han 1 , Zhi-Hao Wei 2 , Yung Hsu 3 , Kun-Huang Chen 4 , Chien-Hung Yeh 2 ,
Wei-Xuan Wu 2 and Jing-Heng Chen 2, *
1 Department of Electro-Optical Engineering, National United University, No. 2, Lienda, Nanshi Li,
Miaoli 36063, Taiwan; cyhan@nuu.edu.tw
2 Department of Photonics, Feng Chia University, No. 100, Wenhwa Rd., Seatwen, Taichung 40724, Taiwan;
zack8006511@gmail.com (Z.-H.W.); yehch@fcu.edu.tw (C.-H.Y.); liquid9527@gmail.com (W.-X.W.)
3 Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, No. 1001, University Rd.,
Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan; matrtihewl0937@gmail.com
4 Department of Electrical Engineering, Feng Chia University, No. 100, Wenhwa Rd., Seatwen,
Taichung 40724, Taiwan; chenkh@fcu.edu.tw
* Correspondence: jhchen@fcu.edu.tw; Tel.: +886-4-2451-7250 (ext. 5093); Fax: +886-4-2451-0182

Academic Editors: Malte C. Kaluza and Shoou-Jinn Chang

Received: 27 May 2016; Accepted: 23 August 2016; Published: 27 August 2016

Abstract: This paper proposes a modified polarization converter for generating radially and
azimuthally polarized beams. Based on a Mach–Zehnder-like interferometric structure, the device
consists of a pair of lateral displacement beamsplitters (LDBs) and two half-wave plates that
manipulate the states of polarization of incident linearly polarized light. Through the coherent
superposition of two orthogonal Hermite–Gaussian modes in the far field, radially and azimuthally
polarized beams can be obtained simultaneously. A prototype was assembled to demonstrate the
feasibility of the design. The proposed design has the advantage of having a simple, symmetric,
compact, and robust structure. In addition, the introduction of LDBs substantially reduces the cost
of this device. Moreover, the design can be applied to a broadband pulsed laser with considerable
potential in high-power applications.

Keywords: beam splitters; waveplates; coherence; interference; polarizations

1. Introduction
Radially and azimuthally polarized beams have been increasingly studied in recent years because
of their unique characteristic of axial polarization symmetry, and they can break the diffraction
limit with a strong longitudinal electromagnetic field in focus [1–3]. The applications of these beams
include high-resolution microscopy, surface plasmon excitation, optical trapping, material processing,
and high-density data storage [4–6]. Various generation theories and methods for these beams have
been proposed. The generation methods can be categorized as intracavity and extracavity methods.
For the intracavity method, a specially designed birefringent crystal, an adjustable aperture, conical and
axicon prisms, or a non-periodic sub-wavelength grating is set inside the resonant cavity of a laser to
generate the radially or azimuthally polarized beam [7,8]. However, laser cavity structures are typically
complicated. This complicated structuring could cause difficulty for alignment and thus additional
power loss in laser manufacturing. Additionally, limited by the form of the laser cavity, the intracavity
method is not suitable for fiber lasers, lithography ultraviolet (UV) lasers, or semiconductor lasers.
By contrast, the extracavity method (which refers to two types of techniques), achieves radially and
azimuthally polarized beams outside of the laser cavity. The first type of technique uses a cut half-wave

Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 241; doi:10.3390/app6090241 www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci

Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 241 2 of 8

plate, polarization converter, or liquid-crystal spatial light modulator to convert a linearly or circularly
polarized beam into a radially or azimuthally polarized beam [9,10]. The second type of technique
uses various interferometric structures to obtain a radially or azimuthally polarized beam [11,12].
The implementation of these methods could be restricted by the requirements of a highly coherent
light source and environmental stability. This possibility makes the implementation of these methods
potentially difficult. In addition, the generated beam is typically limited by low power. Phua and
Lai proposed a simple manipulation method that uses birefringent crystals and half-wave plates
to coherently generate a radially polarized beam [13]. In their method, the structure fulfills the
demands of compactness, mechanical stability, and robustness for practical high power applications.
However, because of the birefringence of the crystal polarization mode, dispersion occurs during the
manipulation of different states of polarization. To eliminate the temporal walk-off problem, a second
birefringent crystal is required to compensate the optical path difference between two orthogonal
polarized modes. Therefore, the cost of the method could be high.
In this paper, we propose a modified method for the generation of radially and azimuthally
polarized beams. Based on a Mach–Zehnder-like interferometric arrangement, a pair of lateral
displacement beamsplitters (LDBs) is used to replace the expensive birefringent crystals. Half-size and
full-size half-wave plates (h-HWP and f-HWP) are applied to manipulate the states of polarization
of the incident beam. The operation principles of this method, accompanied with a Jones matrix
calculus, are described. With coherent superposition, radially and azimuthally polarized beams can
be simultaneously achieved in the far-field region. To demonstrate the feasibility of the method,
a prototype of the proposed polarization converter was successfully assembled and tested. Because of
the application of LDBs, the design has a simple, symmetric, compact, and robust structure;
furthermore, this design reduces the cost of the device substantially. In addition, the device can
operate with a broadband pulsed laser and has considerable potential for high-power applications.

2. Principles
Figure 1 illustrates the design of the optical structure for the generation of radially and azimuthally
polarized beams. It consists of a pair of confocal cylindrical lenses with a focal length ratio of 1:2,
a lateral displacement polarizing beamsplitter (LDPB), h-HWP and f-HWP, and an LDB. To facilitate an
understanding of the principle, an orthogonal x-y-z coordinate system is introduced. The cross-section
of the laser beam (viewing against the direction of light propagation) and the associated states of
polarization after passing through each component are depicted in the four quadrants of Q1 , Q2 , Q3 ,
and Q4 , as shown in Figure 1a–g.
In Figure 1, the Jones column matrix for a linearly polarized beam propagating in the +z-direction
can be expressed as [14]:
 
cosθ
E (θ) = (1)
sinθ
where θ indicates the direction of polarization with respect to the x-axis; and cosθ and sinθ represent the
horizontal and vertical components of the polarization, respectively. In Figure 1a, a circular Gaussian
beam with a 45◦ linear polarization (with respect to the x-axis) is incident into a pair of cylindrical lenses
in the +z-direction. Consequently, its beam cross-section is transformed into an elliptical Gaussian
beam, as illustrated in Figure 1b. After passing through the LDPB, the 45◦ linearly polarized elliptical
Gaussian beam is separated into two orthogonally polarized components, as illustrated in Figure 1c.
These components continue to pass through the h-HWP and the f-HWP. The optical axes of the h-HWP
and f-HWP are set at 45◦ and 22.5◦ with respect to the x-axis, respectively. Therefore, as shown in
Figure 1d, the states of polarization in the right-half regions (quadrants Q1 and Q4 ) for these elliptical
beams are rotated by 90◦ . In Figure 1e, the states of polarizations at the four quadrants of these elliptical
Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 241 3 of 8

beams are rotated by 45◦ . Accordingly, the Jones column vector EQi of each polarized beam at the i-th
quadrant (i = 1 to 4) can be expressed as:

EQi = J f − HWP (Θ)J h− HWP (Θ) E(θ), (for i = 1 then θ = 0◦ ; for i = 4 then θ = 270◦ ) (2)

and Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 241  3 of 8 

EQi = J f − HWP (Θ) E(θ), (for i = 2 then θ = 180◦ ; for i = 3 then θ = 90◦ ) (3)
and 
where J represents the Jones matrix of the half-wave plate, and Θ represents the direction of the optical
EQi  Jwith
axis of the half-wave plate f  HWP (  ) E (  ) , (for i = 2 then θ = 180°; for i = 3 then θ = 90°) 
respect to the x-axis. Consequently, the Jones column vectors(3) 
of the
polarized beams at the four quadrants can be written as 
where J represents the Jones matrix of the half‐wave plate, and  represents the direction of the 
optical axis of the half‐wave plate with respect to the x‐axis. Consequently, the Jones column vectors 
       
1 −1 −1 1
of the polarized beams at the four quadrants can be written as 
EQ1 = , EQ2 = , EQ3 = , and EQ4 =
1 1 −1 −1
1  1   1 1
E Q 1    , E Q 2    , E Q 3    , and E Q 4   
Finally, the two polarized beams1are 1
 
concentrated after 
  1
passing through  1and reflecting off the LDB,
respectively. In Figure 1f,g, the beams are two sets of 45◦ frame-rotated Hermite–Gaussian TEM10
Finally, the two polarized beams are concentrated after passing through and reflecting off the LDB, 
and respectively. In Figure 1f,g, the beams are two sets of 45° frame‐rotated Hermite–Gaussian TEM
TEM01 modes. Based on the image inversion caused by a right-angle prism and the reflection 10 and 
of
polarized light, the Jones column vectors of the polarized beam (illustrated in Figure 1g) with a new
TEM01  modes.  Based  on  the  image  inversion  caused  by  a  right‐angle  prism  and  the  reflection  of 
quadrants Q1 *, Q2 *, Q3 *, and Q4 *, can be written as
set ofpolarized light, the Jones column vectors of the polarized beam (illustrated in Figure 1g) with a new 
set of quadrants Q1*, Q2*, Q
 3*, and Q4*, can be written as 
     
−1 1 1 −1
EQ1 ∗ = , E 1∗ =
Q2 1, EQ3 ∗ = 1  , and EQ4 1 ∗ = ,
1 E Q1*    , E Q 2* 1   , E Q 3*   −  ,1and E Q 4*   1 , −1
1
  1
 
 1  
where the direction of polarization occurs with respect to the − z-axis. Accordingly, approximately
where the direction of polarization occurs with respect to the −z‐axis. Accordingly, approximately 
radially and azimuthally polarized beams can be obtained in the far field with coherent
radially and azimuthally polarized beams can be obtained in the far field with coherent superposition 
superposition [15] by using a positive imaging lens (IL). In Figure 1, the radially and azimuthally
[15] by using a positive imaging lens (IL). In Figure 1, the radially and azimuthally polarized beams 
are checked with an analyzer (AN) and a charge‐coupled device (CCD) camera. 
polarized beams are checked with an analyzer (AN) and a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera.

 
Figure 1. Schematic representation of the generation of radially and azimuthally polarized beams.
Figure  1.  Schematic  representation  of the  generation  of  radially  and  azimuthally  polarized  beams. 
The The diagrams illustrate the cross‐section of the laser beam and the associated states of polarizations 
diagrams illustrate the cross-section of the laser beam and the associated states of polarizations
caused by passing through (a) the laser; (b) a pair of cylindrical lenses; (c) the lateral displacement
caused by passing through (a) the laser; (b) a pair of cylindrical lenses; (c) the lateral displacement 
polarizing beamsplitter (LDPB); (d) the half‐size half‐wave plate (h‐HWP); (e) the full‐size half‐wave 
polarizing beamsplitter (LDPB); (d) the half-size half-wave plate (h-HWP); (e) the full-size half-wave
plateplate (f‐HWP); (f) the lateral displacement beamsplitter (LDB); and by reflecting off (g) the LDB. The 
(f-HWP); (f) the lateral displacement beamsplitter (LDB); and by reflecting off (g) the LDB.
The coherent superposition of orthogonal polarizations in the far field is achieved with a positive imaging 
coherent superposition of orthogonal polarizations in the far field is achieved with a positive
lens (IL) and the beam profiles are checked using an analyzer (AN) and a charge‐coupled device (CCD) 
imaging lens (IL) and the beam profiles are checked using an analyzer (AN) and a charge-coupled
camera. 
device (CCD) camera.

3. Results and Discussion 
To show the feasibility of the design, a prototype of the proposed polarization converter was 
assembled  that  incorporated  a  pair  of  confocal  cylindrical  lenses  (LJ1878L1‐A;  LJ1960L1‐A, 
THORLABS) with  focal lengths  of 10 mm  and 20 mm,  respectively, a  pair  of  lateral displacement 
Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 241 4 of 8

3. Results and Discussion

To show the feasibility of the design, a prototype of the proposed polarization converter was
Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 241  4 of 8 
assembled that incorporated a pair of confocal cylindrical lenses (LJ1878L1-A; LJ1960L1-A, THORLABS)
(polarizing 
with and  nonpolarizing) 
focal lengths of 10 mm and 20beamsplitters  (PBS251; 
mm, respectively, a pairBS013; 
of lateral PS911,  THORLABS), 
displacement and  and
(polarizing two 
multiorder half‐wave plates (MOWP‐633‐1/2‐10, BVO). The dimensions of the device were 125 × 50.8 
nonpolarizing) beamsplitters (PBS251; BS013; PS911, THORLABS), and two multiorder half-wave
× 25.4 mm. A 632.8 nm helium‐neon laser (AH100M, ONSET) was used as the light source, with an 
plates (MOWP-633-1/2-10, BVO). The dimensions of the device were 125 × 50.8 × 25.4 mm. A 632.8 nm
output power of 10 mW. The phase condition between each quadrant was maintained as in‐phase 
helium-neon laser (AH100M, ONSET) was used as the light source, with an output power of 10 mW.
through angle adjustments of the h‐HWP on the y‐axis. A positive IL with a focal length of 100 mm 
The phase condition between each quadrant was maintained as in-phase through angle adjustments
was used to generate the radially and azimuthally polarized beams in the far field. The donut‐shaped 
of the h-HWP on the y-axis. A positive IL with a focal length of 100 mm was used to generate the
patterns are shown in Figures 2 and 3. The size of the beams illustrated in Figures 2a and 3a was 
radially and azimuthally polarized beams in the far field. The donut-shaped patterns are shown in
approximately 200 μm. To verify the radial and azimuthal characteristic of these beams, an analyzer 
Figures 2 and 3. The size of the beams illustrated in Figures 2a and 3a was approximately 200 µm.
was applied with different azimuthal angles prior to the CCD camera (XCD‐U100CR, SONY) and a 
To verify the radial and azimuthal characteristic of these beams, an analyzer was applied with different
laser beam profiler (BP109‐VIS, THORLABS). In Figure 2b–e, the beam profiles were observed with 
azimuthal angles prior to the CCD camera (XCD-U100CR, SONY) and a laser beam profiler (BP109-VIS,
the transmitting axis of the analyzer being 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135° with respect to the x‐axis. In Figure 
THORLABS). In Figure 2b–e, the beam profiles were observed with the transmitting axis of the
analyzer being 0◦ , 45◦ , 90◦ , and 135◦ with respect to the x-axis. In Figure 3b–e, the beam profiles
3b–e, the beam profiles were observed with the transmitting axis of the analyzer being 0°, 45°, 90°, 
observed with the transmitting axis of the analyzer being 0◦ , 45◦ , 90◦ , and 135◦ with respect to
and 135° with respect to the −z‐axis. To examine the polarization quality of these beams, an additional 
were
quarter‐wave 
the −z-axis. Toplate examine (WPQ05M‐633, 
the polarization THORLABS)  was  inserted 
quality of these beams, anprior  to  the quarter-wave
additional analyzer  for  the 
plate
demonstration  of 
(WPQ05M-633, the  spatial was
THORLABS) distributions  of  Stokes parameters [14,16], as 
inserted prior shown  in Figure 
to the analyzer for the demonstration 4.  The 
of the spatial
Stokes parameter S
distributions 0 describes the total intensity of the optical beam, which was scaled between 0 and 
of Stokes parameters [14,16], as shown in Figure 4. The Stokes parameter S0 describes the
2.  The 
total parameter 
intensity of theSoptical
1  is  the  intensity 
beam, which difference 
was scaledbetween 
betweenhorizontal 
0 and 2. The and  vertical  polarization. 
parameter The 
S1 is the intensity
parameter S
difference 2 represents the intensity difference between linear polarization oriented at 45° and 135°. 
between horizontal and vertical polarization. The parameter S2 represents the intensity
Therefore, the values of S
difference between linear 1polarization oriented at 45◦ and 135◦ . Therefore, 3the
 and S2 were between +1 and −1. The parameter S  describes the intensity 
values of S1 and S2
were between +1 and −1. The parameter S3 describes the intensity difference between+0.5 
difference  between  right  and  left  circular  polarization,  which  was  scaled  between  rightand 
and−0.5. 
left
Ideally, polarization,
circular the  values  of  S3  should 
which be  much 
was scaled smaller 
between +0.5 than 
and −S0.5.
0,  S1Ideally,
,  and  Sthe
2.  Although 
values of Sthe 
3 intensity 
should be
distributions did not show a good cylindrical symmetry, they could be improved by applying highly 
much smaller than S0 , S1 , and S2 . Although the intensity distributions did not show a good cylindrical
accurate translation and rotation stages for alignment. These results successfully demonstrated the 
symmetry, they could be improved by applying highly accurate translation and rotation stages for
feasibility of the proposed design. 
alignment. These results successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed design.

 
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Radially
Radially polarized
polarized  lights
lights in
in the
the transmission
transmission output
output converted
converted from
from aa linearly
linearly polarized
polarized 
light: (a) donut‐shaped beam profile and intensity distribution in the x‐direction observed without an 
light: (a) donut-shaped beam profile and intensity distribution in the x-direction observed without
analyzer, 
an and 
analyzer, andbeam 
beamprofiles  observed 
profiles observedwith 
withthe 
thetransmitting 
transmittingaxis 
axisof 
ofan 
ananalyzer 
analyzer at 
at (b)  0◦ ; (c) 
(b) 0°;  ◦;  
45°; 
(c) 45
◦ ◦
(d) 90°; and (e) 135° with respect to the x‐axis. 
(d) 90 ; and (e) 135 with respect to the x-axis.
Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 241 5 of 8
Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 241  5 of 8 

Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 241  5 of 8 

 
 
Figure 3. Azimuthally polarized lights in the reflection output converted from a linearly polarized 
Figure 3. Azimuthally polarized lights in the reflection output converted from a linearly polarized
Figure 3. Azimuthally polarized lights in the reflection output converted from a linearly polarized 
light: (a) donut‐shaped beam profile and intensity distribution in the z‐direction observed without an 
light: (a) donut-shaped beam profile and intensity distribution in the z-direction observed without
light: (a) donut‐shaped beam profile and intensity distribution in the z‐direction observed without an 
ananalyzer, 
analyzer, and 
andbeam 
beamprofiles 
profilesobserved 
observedwith 
withthe  transmitting 
the transmittingaxis  of of
axis an an
analyzer 
analyzerat  (b)  0°; 0(c) 
at (b) 45°; 
◦ ; (c) 45 ◦ ;
analyzer,  and  beam  profiles  observed  with  the  transmitting  axis  of  an  analyzer  at  (b)  0°;  (c)  45°;   
(d) 90°; and (e) 135° with respect to the −z‐axis. 
◦ ; and (e) 135◦ with respect to the −z-axis.
(d) 90(d) 90°; and (e) 135° with respect to the −z‐axis. 

(a)
(a)

(b)
(b)
Figure 4. Spatial distributions of Stokes vectors of S0, S1, S2, and S3: (a) radially polarized light and   
Figure 4. Spatial distributions of Stokes vectors of S
Figure 4. Spatial distributions of Stokes vectors of S00, S , S11, S
, S22, and S
, and S3: (a) radially polarized light and 
3 : (a) radially polarized light and 
(b) azimuthally polarized light. 
(b) azimuthally polarized light. 
(b) azimuthally polarized light.
The proposed polarization converter has a simple and symmetric structure that facilitates the 
The proposed polarization converter has a simple and symmetric structure that facilitates the 
The proposed
maintenance  of polarization
the  in‐phase  converter hasthe 
condition  for  a simple andof 
generation  symmetric structure
radially  and  that facilitates
azimuthally  polarized  the
maintenance  of  the  in‐phase  condition  for  the  generation  of  radially  and  azimuthally  polarized 
maintenance
beams.  In  of addition, 
the in-phase the  condition forgenerate 
device  can  the generation
radially  of radially
and  and azimuthally
azimuthally  polarized
polarized  beams 
beams.  In  addition,  the  device  can  generate  radially  and  azimuthally  polarized  beams 
simultaneously. In an application, a linear superposition of radially polarized mode and azimuthally 
beams. In addition, the device can generate radially and azimuthally polarized beams simultaneously.
simultaneously. In an application, a linear superposition of radially polarized mode and azimuthally 
In anpolarized mode generates cylindrical vector (CV) beams [3], as shown in Figure 5. Because two beams 
application, a linear superposition of radially polarized mode and azimuthally polarized
polarized mode generates cylindrical vector (CV) beams [3], as shown in Figure 5. Because two beams 
are always produced simultaneously, it causes 50% losses if only one beam mode is needed. In this 
mode generates cylindrical vector (CV) beams [3], as shown in Figure 5. Because two beams are
are always produced simultaneously, it causes 50% losses if only one beam mode is needed. In this 
condition, an additional reflection prism (RP) could be applied to transform one mode into another. 
always produced simultaneously, it causes 50% losses if only one beam mode is needed. In this
condition, an additional reflection prism (RP) could be applied to transform one mode into another. 
In Figure 6a, a reflection prism is set next to the LDB, which transforms the azimuthally polarized 
condition, an additional reflection prism (RP) could be applied to transform one mode into another.
In Figure 6a, a reflection prism is set next to the LDB, which transforms the azimuthally polarized 
mode into a radially polarized mode by reflection. In Figure 6b, a reflection prism is set after the LDB, 
In mode into a radially polarized mode by reflection. In Figure 6b, a reflection prism is set after the LDB, 
Figure 6a, a reflection
which  transforms  the prism ispolarized 
radially  set next to the into 
mode  LDB, an which transforms
azimuthally  the mode 
polarized  azimuthally polarized
by  reflection. 
mode into
which  a radiallythe 
transforms  polarized
radially  mode by reflection.
polarized  mode  into  In an Figure 6b, a polarized 
azimuthally  reflection mode 
prismby 
Therefore, two outputs of radially polarized beam in +x‐direction and two outputs of azimuthally  is reflection. 
set after the
LDB, which transforms
polarized  beam  in  the radially polarized
+y‐direction  mode intoA an
could  be  achieved.  azimuthally
continuous  polarized
wave  mode
laser  was 
Therefore, two outputs of radially polarized beam in +x‐direction and two outputs of azimuthally  used byin 
reflection.
the 
experiment for demonstration. Because of the symmetric structure, the two orthogonally polarized 
Therefore, two outputs of radially polarized beam in +x-direction and two outputs
polarized  beam  in  +y‐direction  could  be  achieved.  A  continuous  wave  laser  was  used  in  the  of azimuthally
modes 
polarized have 
beam inthe  same  optical 
+y-direction path 
could belength  (OPL). 
achieved. Having  the wave
A continuous same  laser
OPL  was
implies 
used
experiment for demonstration. Because of the symmetric structure, the two orthogonally polarized  that 
in ideally,  no 
the experiment
temporal walk‐off problem exists (polarization mode dispersion) between the orthogonally polarized 
formodes  have  the  same 
demonstration. Becauseoptical  path 
of the length  (OPL). 
symmetric Having 
structure, the the 
twosame  OPL  implies 
orthogonally that  ideally, 
polarized modes no have
thetemporal walk‐off problem exists (polarization mode dispersion) between the orthogonally polarized 
same optical path length (OPL). Having the same OPL implies that ideally, no temporal walk-off
problem exists (polarization mode dispersion) between the orthogonally polarized modes in the design.
Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 241 6 of 8

Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 241  6 of 8 
Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 241  6 of 8 
Accordingly, the device can operate with a broadband pulsed laser. In [13], an additional crystal-type
modes in the design. Accordingly, the device can operate with a broadband pulsed laser. In [13], an 
modes in the design. Accordingly, the device can operate with a broadband pulsed laser. In [13], an 
spatial walk-off polarizer was required to compensate for the OPL difference between two orthogonal
additional crystal‐type spatial walk‐off polarizer was required to compensate for the OPL difference 
additional crystal‐type spatial walk‐off polarizer was required to compensate for the OPL difference 
polarized modes. By contrast, the cost of the proposed device can be substantially reduced by applying
between  two 
two  orthogonal  polarized 
polarized  modes.  By 
By  contrast,  the 
the  cost 
cost  of 
of  the  proposed 
proposed  device  can 
can  be 
thebetween  orthogonal 
lateral displacement beamsplitters.modes. 
However, contrast, 
lateral displacement the 
beamsplitters device 
are commonlybe 
substantially 
substantially  reduced 
reduced  by 
by  applying 
applying  the 
the  lateral 
lateral  displacement 
displacement  beamsplitters. 
beamsplitters.  However, 
However,  lateral 
lateral 
constructed
displacement out of a cube and a prism. These separate components could prism. 
slightly complicate the
displacement  beamsplitters 
beamsplitters  are 
are  commonly 
commonly  constructed 
constructed  out 
out  of 
of  a 
a  cube 
cube  and 
and  a 
a  prism.  These 
These  separate 
separate 
device. Figure 7 illustrates that a proper shift should occur between the cube and the prism of the
components could slightly complicate the device. Figure 7 illustrates that a proper shift should occur 
components could slightly complicate the device. Figure 7 illustrates that a proper shift should occur 
LDB to concentrate the polarized beams at four quadrants from a long distance L to a short distance
between the cube and the prism of the LDB to concentrate the polarized beams at four quadrants 
between the cube and the prism of the LDB to concentrate the polarized beams at four quadrants 
l. When smaller components are used and glued together, a more compact and robust device can be
from a long distance L to a short distance l. When smaller components are used and glued together, 
from a long distance L to a short distance l. When smaller components are used and glued together, 
achieved. Because of the application of bulk solid materials, the device has a high damage threshold of
a more compact and robust device can be achieved. Because of the application of bulk solid materials, 
a more compact and robust device can be achieved. Because of the application of bulk solid materials, 
at least 50 W/cm2 . With the same principle, the device can be
the device has a high damage threshold of at least 50 W/cm 2 designed at an operation wavelength of
the device has a high damage threshold of at least 50 W/cm2. With the same principle, the device can 
. With the same principle, the device can 
1064 nm. For high-power applications, zero-order half-wave plates should be used to eliminate the
be designed at an operation wavelength of 1064 nm. For high‐power applications, zero‐order half‐
be designed at an operation wavelength of 1064 nm. For high‐power applications, zero‐order half‐
influence of the thermal effect.
wave plates should be used to eliminate the influence of the thermal effect. 
wave plates should be used to eliminate the influence of the thermal effect. 

  
Figure 5. Spatial distributions of instantaneous electric vector field for (a) radially polarized mode; 
Figure 5. Spatial distributions of instantaneous electric vector field for (a) radially polarized mode; 
Figure 5. Spatial distributions of instantaneous electric vector field for (a) radially polarized mode;
(b) 
(b)  azimuthally 
azimuthally  polarized  mode; 
polarized mode; and 
mode; and (c) 
and  (c) generalized 
generalized  cylindrical 
(c)  generalized cylindrical  vector  (CV)  beams  as  a 
a  linear 
(b) azimuthally polarized cylindricalvector 
vector(CV) 
(CV)beams 
beamsas as linear 
a linear
superposition of (a) and (b). 
superposition of (a) and (b). 
superposition of (a) and (b).

(a)
(a)

  
(b)
(b)
Figure 
Figure  6.  A 
A  reflection 
6. reflection
reflection  prism 
prism  (RP) 
(RP)  is 
is  applied 
applied  to 
to  transform 
transform  one 
one  mode 
mode  into 
into  another: 
another:  (a)  two 
two  output 
(a) outputoutput 
Figure 6. A
radially  prism (RP) is+x‐direction, 
applied to transform one output 
mode into another: (a) two radially
radially  polarized  beams  in  the  +x‐direction,  and  (b)  two  output  azimuthally  polarized  beams 
polarized  beams  in  the  and  (b)  two  azimuthally  polarized  beams  +y‐
+y‐
polarized beams
direction.  in the +x-direction, and (b) two output azimuthally polarized beams +y-direction.
direction. 
Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 241 7 of 8
Appl. Sci. 2016, 6, 241  7 of 8 

 
Figure 7. Lateral view of the alignment and assembly considerations of the design (not to scale).
Figure 7. Lateral view of the alignment and assembly considerations of the design (not to scale). 
4. Conclusions
4. Conclusions 
This paper proposed an improved design for a polarization converter that can generate radially
This paper proposed an improved design for a polarization converter that can generate radially 
and azimuthally polarized beams simultaneously. The device applies a pair of lateral displacement
and azimuthally polarized beams simultaneously. The device applies a pair of lateral displacement 
beamsplitters to replace expensive crystal-type spatial walk-off polarizers. Two half-wave plates
beamsplitters to replace expensive crystal‐type spatial walk‐off polarizers. Two half‐wave plates are 
are incorporated to manipulate the states of polarization of the incident light. The design enables
approximatelyto 
incorporated  manipulate 
radially the  states  of polarized
and azimuthally polarization  of  the 
beams incident 
to be light. 
obtained in The 
the design 
far fieldenables 
with
approximately radially and azimuthally polarized beams to be obtained in the far field with coherent 
coherent superposition. A prototype of the polarization converter was successfully demonstrated,
superposition. A prototype of the polarization converter was successfully demonstrated, and several 
and several of its advantages were discussed. The proposed device has considerable potential for
of  its advantages  were  discussed.  The proposed  device  has  considerable  potential for  high‐power 
high-power applications.
applications. 
Acknowledgments: This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of China
under the grant numbers
Acknowledgments:  This MOST
work  104-2221-E-035-064 andMinistry 
was  supported  by  the  MOST 105-2221-E-035-045.
of  Science  and  Technology  of  the  Republic  of 
China under the grant numbers MOST 104‐2221‐E‐035‐064 and MOST 105‐2221‐E‐035‐045. 
Author Contributions: Jing-Heng Chen and Chien-Yuan Han conceived and designed the experiments;
Zhi-Hao Wei, Yung Hsu and Wei-Xuan Wu performed the experiments; Jing-Heng Chen and Chien-Yuan Han
Author  Contributions:  Jing‐Heng  Chen  and  Chien‐Yuan  Han  conceived  and  designed the  experiments;  Zhi‐
analyzed the data; Jing-Heng Chen, Chien-Yuan Han, Kun-Huang Chen and Chien-Hung Yeh contributed the
Hao  Wei, and
materials; Yung  Hsu  and 
Jing-Heng Wei‐Xuan 
Chen Wu  performed 
and Zhi-Hao Wei wrotethe 
theexperiments; 
paper. Jing‐Heng  Chen  and  Chien‐Yuan  Han 
analyzed the data; Jing‐Heng Chen, Chien‐Yuan Han, Kun‐Huang Chen and Chien‐Hung Yeh contributed the 
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
materials; and Jing‐Heng Chen and Zhi‐Hao Wei wrote the paper. 

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. 
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