Generation of an optical vortex with a segmented deformable mirror.

We present a method for the creation of optical vortices by using a deformable mirror. Optical vortices of integer and fractional charge were successfully generated at a wavelength of 633 nm and observed in the far field (2000 mm). The obtained intensity patterns proved to be in agreement with the theoretical predictions on integer and fractional charge optical vortices. Interference patterns between the created optical vortex carrying beams and a reference plane wave were also produced to verify and confirm the existence of the phase singularities.