Efficient linear-to-radial polarization converter for high-power lasers

G. Machavariani; S. Jackel; Y. Lumer; I. Moshe; A. Meir

doi:10.1117/12.780809

16 April 2008 Efficient linear-to-radial polarization converter for high-power lasers

G. Machavariani, S. Jackel, Y. Lumer, I. Moshe, A. Meir

Proceedings Volume 6998, Solid State Lasers and Amplifiers III; 69980L (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.780809
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2008, Strasbourg, France

Abstract

We describe design and performance of efficient linear-to-radial polarization and mode converter. The converter is a spatially variable retarder (SVR), comprised of eight appropriately cut half- wave plate segments. The SVRs were applied to perform two different tasks. First, a linearly polarized Nd:YAG TEM₀₀ beam was converted into a radiallypolarized LG_01* beam with polarization-purity of 98% and 96% measured in the near-field and far-field respectively. The total power-loss in the transformation was 18%. Second, a 70W Nd:YAG radially-polarized beam with beamquality M²=2.6 was converted into a linearly polarized nearly-Gaussian beam with beam-quality M²=1.4. Taking into account power-losses, the experimental beam-brightness was increased by a factor of 2.6. The SVR manufacture was optimized for application to high power lasers, where minimum phase-front distortion and maximum cylindrical- polarization purity is required. SVRs have so far been successfully tested to the kW level. The proposed converging methods can be of high practical importance due to unique properties of radially-polarized beams.

Citation Download Citation

G. Machavariani, S. Jackel, Y. Lumer, I. Moshe, and A. Meir "Efficient linear-to-radial polarization converter for high-power lasers", Proc. SPIE 6998, Solid State Lasers and Amplifiers III, 69980L (16 April 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.780809

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