<title>Phase conversion of lasers with low-loss distributed phase plates</title>

Abstract

Efficient phase conversion of laser light can be achieved using continuous distributed phase plates (DPPs) for applications in laser-beam shaping and laser-beam smoothing. These DPPs are deep, surface-relief, continuous phase plates that exhibit near-unity energy efficiency, envelope and power spectrum flexibility, and reduced near-field intensity modulation as compared to stepped diffractive optics. Specific DPP designs for inertial-confinement-fusion laser systems, used to irradiate fuel capsules, is presented.