Patent ID: 7414786
Filing Date: 2008-08-19
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A system for converting a polarization state of an optical beam which propagates along a path from an initial polarization state into an inhomogeneous polarization state, the system comprising: a first isotropic material; a first anisotropic material positioned adjacent to the first isotropic material in a substantially transverse manner relative to the path of the optical beam; a second isotropic material; and a second anisotropic material positioned adjacent to the second isotropic material in a substantially transverse manner relative to the path of the optical beam; wherein the second isotropic material and second anisotropic material are positioned downstream of the first isotropic material and first anisotropic material along the path of the optical beam; wherein the first anisotropic material has a first alignment axis and the second anisotropic material has a second alignment axis that produce one of a radially, azimuthally, and counter-rotationally polarized optical beam when substantially aligned with respect to a polarization axis of the optical beam.