title: Adaptive helical mirror for generation of optical phase singularity.
abstract: We report a specially designed adaptive mirror that can be bent into a helical shape for generation of an optical phase singularity. The adaptive helical mirror (AHM) reported here is a reflective device that can provide a continuous phase variation of the optical field in the azimuthal direction. The construction details and evaluation of the AHM are presented. A Michelson interferometer is used for the detection of the phase singularity. The AHM can be used for generation of a singular beam having multiple topological charges, positive or negative, just by controlling the excitation voltage of the AHM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India. dpghai@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Devinder Pal
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Ghai
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Senthilkumaran
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Sirohi