Why diffractive retarders are not in common use

Russell A Chipman, Wai Sze T Lam, Michihisa Onishi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Diffractive retarders fabricated from gratings in isotropic materials are analyzed by rigorous coupled wave analysis. Calculations show it is difficult to obtain substantial retardance with isotropic phase gratings. Even for an aspect ratio of two, diffractive retarders have a small retardance, < λ/12. Thus it is generally impractical to fabricate quarter wave retarders, much less half wave retarders in plastic or molded glass for example. The dispersion of these gratings is compared to the conventional materials used in the majority of retarders and is found to be very similar. Thus these gratings add little in terms of helping to achromatize retarders.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPolarization Science and Remote Sensing VII
EditorsJoseph A. Shaw, Daniel A. LeMaster
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781628417791
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
EventPolarization Science and Remote Sensing VII - San Diego, United States
Duration: Aug 11 2015Aug 12 2015

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume9613
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Other

OtherPolarization Science and Remote Sensing VII
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period8/11/158/12/15

Keywords

  • Polarization
  • diffractive optical elements
  • retarders
  • rigorous coupled wave analysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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