Abstract

A fast and switchable electro-optic radial polarization retarder (EO-RPR) fabricated using the electro-optic ceramic $\mathrm{Pb}\left({\mathrm{Mg}}_{1∕3}{\mathrm{Nb}}_{2∕3}\right){\mathrm{O}}_3–{\mathrm{PbTiO}}_3$ is presented. This EO-RPR is useful for fast and switchable generation of a pure cylindrical vector beam. When used together with a pair of half-wave plates, the EO-RPR can change circularly polarized light into any cylindrical vector beam of interest, such as radially or azimuthally polarized light. Radially and azimuthally polarized light with purities greater than 95% are generated experimentally. The advantages of using EO-RPR include fast response time, low driving voltage, and transparency in a wide spectral range (500 to $7000\mathrm{nm}$).

© 2008 Optical Society of America

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