We deduce and study an analytical expression for Fresnel diffraction of a plane wave by a spiral phase plate (SPP) that imparts an arbitrary-order phase singularity on the light field. Estimates for the optical vortex radius that depends on the singularity's integer order n (also termed topological charge, or order of the dislocation) have been derived. The near-zero vortex intensity is shown to be proportional to rho2n, where p is the radial coordinate. Also, an analytical expression for Fresnel diffraction of the Gaussian beam by a SPP with nth-order singularity is analyzed. The far-field intensity distribution is derived. The radius of maximal intensity is shown to depend on the singularity number. The behavior of the Gaussian beam intensity after a SPP with second-order singularity (n = 2) is studied in more detail. The parameters of the light beams generated numerically with the Fresnel transform and via analytical formulas are in good agreement. In addition, the light fields with first- and second-order singularities were generated by a 32-level SPP fabricated on the resist by use of the electron-beam lithography technique.

We derive analytical expressions containing a hypergeometric function to describe the Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction of a plane wave of circular and ringlike cross section by a spiral phase plate (SPP) of an arbitrary integer order. Experimental diffraction patterns generated by an SPP fabricated in resist through direct e-beam writing are in good agreement with the theoretical intensity distribution.

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An analytical expression for the spatial spectrum of the conic wave diffracted by a spiral phase plate (SPP) with arbitrary integer singularity of order n is obtained. Conic wave diffraction by the SPP is equivalent to plane-wave diffraction by a helical axicon. A comparison of the conic wave and Gaussian beam diffraction on a SPP is made. It is shown that in both cases a light ring is formed, with the intensity function growing in proportion to rho(2n) at small values of radial variable rho and decreasing as n(2)rho(-4) at large rho. By use of direct e-beam writing on the resist, a 32 level SPP of the 2nd order and diameter 5 mm is manufactured. By use of this SPP, a He-Ne laser beam is transformed into a beam with phase singularity and ringlike intensity distribution. A four-order binary diffractive optical element (DOE) with its transmittance proportional to a linear superposition of four angular harmonics is also manufactured. With this DOE, simultaneous optical trapping of several polystyrene beads of diameter 5 microm is performed.

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