Polarization holographic recording of vortex diffractive optical elements on azopolymer thin films and 3D analysis via phase-shifting digital holographic microscopy.

Direct fabrication of complex diffractive optical elements (DOEs) on photosensitive thin films is of critical importance for the development of advanced optical instruments. In this paper, we design and investigate DOEs capable of generating optical vortices. Analog and digital approaches for one-step polarization holographic recording of vortex DOEs on new carbazole-based azopolymer thin films are described.