Vortex Phase Plate vs Spiral Phase Plate: What’s the Difference?
Saturday, February7, 2026
Table Of Contet
What is a Vortex Phase Plate?
A vortex phase plate is a micro-nano optical element that generates optical vortices. Its surface features a helical structure with thickness increasing along the azimuthal line. When light propagates as a plane wave, it introduces phase delays that vary with angle, thereby modulating the initial light into a helical shape. This helical beam pattern gives the vortex phase plate its name, featuring a phase singularity at its center and an annular intensity distribution.
Working Principle of Vortex Phase Plate
The working principle of the vortex phase plate essentially reshapes plane waves into wavefronts by imposing a phase delay that varies linearly with azimuth. This process unfolds across three key dimensions: phase modulation, physical implementation, and light field reconstruction.
