LBTEK Achromatic Vortex Waveplate (Achromatic Vortex Retarder, AVR) is fabricated using an N-BK7 glass substrate and liquid crystal polymer (LCP) material. It is composed of three LCP vortex waveplates, each designed with a half-wave (λ/2) retardation and a fast-axis orientation that is radially aligned and azimuthally varying. By stacking the three layers at specific design angles, the combined device achieves an overall achromatic fast-axis orientation and λ/2 retardation. The assembly is mounted in a standard SM1 lens tube.

Within the designed wavelength bands, the LBTEK Achromatic Vortex Waveplate enables spatial light-field modulation across different wavelengths. Depending on the polarization state of the incident beam, it can generate vector-polarized beams or vortex beams with a helical phase front, converting a TEM₀₀ Gaussian beam into a donut-shaped hollow intensity distribution (see technical notes for details). Compared with traditional optical field modulation methods, vortex waveplates provide the advantages of high efficiency, stability, ease of operation, and dedicated functionality. Compared with single-wavelength vortex waveplates, the achromatic design is not limited to a specific wavelength, making it compatible with broadband light sources.

LBTEK standard achromatic vortex waveplates are available with design wavelength ranges of 400–700 nm, 600–800 nm, and 700–1100 nm, with a topological charge of m = 1. Flexible customization of parameters and specifications is also supported.

For the LBTEK m=1 Achromatic Vortex Waveplate, the overall fast-axis orientation rotates by 180° over a full 360° azimuthal angle on the substrate. Under a linear polarizer, the resulting intensity distribution appears as shown in the figure on the right. The m=1 achromatic vortex waveplate is suitable for incident beams with diameters ranging from Ø0.5 mm to Ø21.5 mm, with a conversion efficiency of ≥98%. Within its operating wavelength range, circularly polarized light generates vortex beams with OAM l = ±1, while linearly polarized light generates vector-polarized beams, including the two special cases of radial polarization and azimuthal polarization. The achromatic vortex waveplate is mounted in a standard SM1 lens tube housing, which is engraved with the product name and model, and features four etched lines marking the optical center for convenient alignment.