WOP, USouthampton Develop Z Polarizers

Workshop of Photonics (WOP) has collaborated with researchers at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) at the University of Southampton to develop a direct laser writing technique for the production of radial polarization converters.

Z polarizer. (Images: World of Photonics)

Known as Z polarizers, the devices are applied at laser machining to high-power laser radiation because of their monolithic fused silica window design, and antireflection coatings can be applied. In addition, a single element is used both for polarization conversion and generation of higher topological charge optical vortices.

The WOP and ORC laboratories expect to prove the advantages of Z polarizers in laser micromachining, such as decreased spot size and uniformity of light-material interaction regardless of machining direction.

View through polarizing microscope with various polarization orientations.

WOP is looking for integrators and end users in the laser machining, microscopy and optical tweezers fields. Testing units are available, with small scale production of the devices scheduled for mid-autumn.

The University of Southampton has applied for a patent application and has appointed Altechna R&D Ltd. as its exclusive commercialization partner.

For more information, visit: www.wophotonics.com