Quartz Vortex Wave Plate VRF1-355

Overview

This Quartz Vortex Wave Plate is a spiral-phase-plate-type diffractive optical element that imprints a helical phase front onto an incident beam, converting a Gaussian input into an optical vortex that carries orbital angular momentum (OAM). The azimuthally varying surface-relief profile advances the phase around the optical axis by 2πm per revolution; this unit has a topological charge of m = 1, so a single 2π helical ramp produces one unit of OAM and a central phase singularity (dark core) on axis. It is a single-piece Ø25.4 x 3 mm ultraviolet fused silica (UVFS) chip supplied bare, without a mechanical housing.

Applications

• Optical vortex / OAM beam generation for structured light
• Optical tweezers and micro-particle manipulation
• Stimulated-emission-depletion (STED) and high-resolution microscopy
• Optical communication and information processing with OAM multiplexing
• Surface topography measurement and beam-shaping research

Construction & Performance

The element is fabricated from ultraviolet fused silica (UVFS) by surface-relief micro-structuring, forming a continuous spiral staircase whose height increases along the azimuthal direction. UVFS offers low absorption and a high damage threshold, making it well suited to ultraviolet operation where polymer vortex retarders are unsuitable. Key specifications for this model:

• Optical Component Size: Ø25.4 x 3 mm
• Operating Wavelength: 355 nm
• Order m: 1
• Clear Aperture: 10 x 10 mm
• Material: Ultraviolet Fused Silica (UVFS)
• Surface Finish: 40/20
• Surface Flatness: <λ/8@632.8 nm
• Transmittance: >90%@355 nm
• Surface Parallelism: <5arcsec
• Conversion Efficiency: >98%

Storage & Handling

Handle the chip by its edges and keep the clear aperture free of dust and fingerprints; the surface-relief structure is delicate, so clean only when necessary with optical-grade solvents and lens tissue. Note that the device is unmounted (bare chip), so use an appropriate holder that does not stress the surface and observe the beam-input orientation of the spiral structure. Store in the original container in a clean, dry environment away from direct sunlight, condensation and corrosive vapors.