Generation of polarized patterns with the use of polarization-selective diffractive phase elements

We present the designs of diffractive phase elements (DPE's) with polarization selectivity, which can generate the polarized focal point/rings on the output plane. The design scheme is based on the general theory of amplitude-phase retrieval and iterative algorithm. We extend the original iterative algorithm to realize the design of the polarization-selective DPE in the rotationally symmetric optical system. A set of equations for determining the modulation depth distribution of the surface-relief DPE is derived. Several model designs are carried out. The numerical simulations show that this suggested approach can be achieved successfully the design of desired DPE's. It is therefore expected that this new approach may be useful in designing the polarization-selective DPE's for micro-optical systems.