An asymmetric optical vortex generated by a spiral refractive plate

Using a revised Kirchhoff diffraction integral and the finite-difference time-domain method we show that an optical vortex generated by a refractive spiral plate with a relief step has an asymmetric profile. The annular diffraction pattern in the optical vortex beam cross-section is found to be disturbed not only for near-field diffraction but also for the Fresnel zone. For a spiral phase plate with topological charge 3, fabricated on a resist, optical vortex asymmetry has been shown experimentally by near-field scanning optical microscopy.