Recording of geometric phase elements based on liquid crystal polymers

A technique for recording of centrally-symmetric liquid crystal phase retarders with anisotropic orientation of molecules, ensuring a smooth change of the optical axis in a thin film of liquid crystal polymer is developed. The technique allows recording elements with a cylindrically symmetric and planar-symmetric distribution. Such structures can be used to create optical elements with new functionality. Using the developed techniques, a polarization-sensitive Fresnel lens is realized which for light beams with orthogonal circular polarizations functions either as a collecting or as a scattering lens