We report a high fidelity (>90%) approximation of radial polarization conversion using a birefringent lens. It offers the advantages of low-cost, easy fabrication, alignment robustness and high laser power handling capability.
We demonstrate a cylindrically-symmetric polarization retarder for generating exact radially polarized light. It involves an uni-axial crystal whose crystallographic optics axis is aligned to its optical axis. This method offers high power-handling capability
