What is a Polarization Directed Lens? A Polarization Directed Lens is a thin (0.45mm) flat window with a complex photo-aligned liquid crystal polymer (LCP) film deposited on the surface. By varying the geometrical phase shift spatially, the LCP achieves near perfect diffraction efficiency of the holographically recorded lens wavefront. Essentially, a Polarization Directed lens is a thin film equivalent of a geometric optic with very little volume, yielding significant reductions in weight and thickness.

How does Polarization affect the performance? When the lens is oriented with the LCP surface facing the light source: Left-Hand Circular Polarization (LHCP) light will focus with the stated positive focal length of the lens. Right-Hand Circular Polarization (RHCP) light will diverge with the negative stated focal length of the lens.

When the lens is oriented with the LCP surface away from the light source: RHCP light will focus with the stated positive focal length of the lens. LHCP light will diverge with the negative stated focal length of the lens. The Polarization Directed Lenses are sensitive to circular polarization. The lenses have the unique property that one circular polarization will focus or converge through the lens (positive focal length) and the orthogonal circular polarization will defocus or diverge (negative focal length).

Will the lens focus unpolarized light? With unpolarized light, the Polarization Directed Lens will act as a positive lens for 50% of the light (one of the circular polarizations) and it will act as a negative lens for the other 50% of the light (the orthogonal polarization).

What happens with linear polarized light? Linear polarized light will act the same as unpolarized – 50% of the light will be focused, and 50% of the light will be diverged with a negative focal length.