3-D printed THz q-plate with a fixed rate of change of the optical axis

Abstract

We report the design and test of a THz dielectric q-plate realizing a fixed rate of change of the optical axis. The device consists of space-variant birefringent slabs manufactured by 3D printing using melt extruded ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene). The full position-dependent electric field of the THz beam propagating through the g-plate is obtained by measuring the THz time domain signal with a standard raster scan imaging routine. The E-field azimuthal and radial wave front patterns are successfully acquired from the realized q-plate.