Abstract

The generation of circularly polarized light with a high circularity degree and low azimuthal error sensitivity was analyzed using a system composed by two waveplates. It is shown how the high circularity degree is achieved using a combination of a half- $(\lambda /2)$ and a quarter- $(\lambda /4)$ waveplate $\lambda /2+\lambda /4$ configuration. However, the lowest azimuthal sensitivity under small variations in the azimuths of the waveplates is obtained by employing a $\lambda /4+\lambda /2$ configuration. Analytical calculus particularized for quartz and ${\mathrm{MgF}}_2$ waveplates is presented.

© 2014 Optical Society of America

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