Full-wave Simulation of Light Propagation through a Quarter-wave Plate

C. S. Lin [1],
[1] Pitotech. Co. Ltd., Changhua City, Taiwan
Published in 2017

Advances in 3D display technology relies heavily on the birefringence of light as it propagates through various optical components such as quarter-wave plates. While Jones matrix formulation is commonly employed as a convenient means to study optical systems involving such optical components, full-wave simulation provides an alternative theoretical approach which could offer more insight and understanding to the behavior of light. In this paper, we study the behavior of monochromatic visible light as it propagates through a birefringent quarter-wave plate based on full-wave simulation. Results reveal a transformation of light from linearly polarization into circular polarization upon emergence from the plate. Vice versa for circularly polarized incident light. In addition, Simulations provide intuitive visualizations for detailed light behavior at submicron scale.

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