We report on a four-mirror reflective wave-plate system based on a phase-shifting mirror (PSM) for a continuous variation of elliptical polarization without changing the beam position and direction. The system presented and characterized here can replace a conventional retardation plate providing all advantages of a PSM, such as high damage-threshold, large scalability, and low dispersion. This makes reflective wave-plates an ideal tool for ultra-high power laser applications.

Topics
Dielectric properties, Radiowave and microwave technology, Geometrical optics, Atmospheric and ocean optics, Optical devices, Optical polarimetry, Polarization, Lasers, Transition metals, Chemical elements
1.
M.
 
Woods
, SLAC-PUB-7320,
1996
.
2.
B.
 
Aurand
,
S.
 
Kuschel
,
C.
 
Roedel
,
M.
 
Heyer
,
F.
 
Wunderlich
,
O.
 
Jaeckel
,
M. C.
 
Kaluza
,
G. G.
 
Paulus
, and
T.
 
Kuehl
,
Opt. Express
 
19
(
18
),
17151
(
2011
).
https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.19.017151
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
3.
A. A.
 
Said
,
T.
 
Xia
,
A.
 
Dogariu
,
D. J.
 
Hagan
,
M. J.
 
Soileau
,
E. W.
 
Van Stryland
, and
M.
 
Mohebi
,
Appl. Opt.
 
34
(
18
),
3374
–
3376
(
1995
).
https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.34.003374
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
© 2012 American Institute of Physics.
2012
American Institute of Physics
You do not currently have access to this content.