Pixilated wideband achromatic waveplates fabricated for the mid IR using subwavelength features

R. R. Boye; S. A. Kemme; J. R. Wendt; A. A. Cruz-Cabrera; G. A. Vawter; C. R Alford; T. R. Carter; S. Samora

doi:10.1117/12.646803

28 February 2006 Pixilated wideband achromatic waveplates fabricated for the mid IR using subwavelength features

R. R. Boye, S. A. Kemme, J. R. Wendt, A. A. Cruz-Cabrera, G. A. Vawter, C. R Alford, T. R. Carter, S. Samora

Proceedings Volume 6127, Quantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices III; 612709 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.646803
Event: Integrated Optoelectronic Devices 2006, 2006, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

Subwavelength diffractive features etched into a substrate lead to form birefringence that can be utilized to produce polarization sensitive elements such as waveplates. Using etched features allows for the development of pixilated devices to be used in conjunction with focal plane arrays in polarimetric imaging systems. Typically, the main drawback from using diffractive devices is their high sensitivity to wavelength. Taking advantage of the dispersion of the form birefringence, diffractive waveplates with good achromatic characteristics can be designed. We will report on diffractive waveplates designed for minimal phase retardation error across the 2-5 micron spectral regime. The required fabrication processes of the sub-wavelength feature sizes will be discussed as well as the achromatic performance and transmission efficiency of final devices. Previous work in this area has produced good results over a subset of this wavelength band, but designing for this extended band is particularly challenging. In addition, the effect of the finite size of the apertures of the pixilated devices is of particular interest since they are designed to be used in conjunction with a detector array. The influence of small aperture sizes will also be investigated.

Citation Download Citation

R. R. Boye, S. A. Kemme, J. R. Wendt, A. A. Cruz-Cabrera, G. A. Vawter, C. R Alford, T. R. Carter, and S. Samora "Pixilated wideband achromatic waveplates fabricated for the mid IR using subwavelength features", Proc. SPIE 6127, Quantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices III, 612709 (28 February 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.646803

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available