Overcoming the tradeoff between efficiency and bandwidth for vector vortex waveplates

Vector vortex waveplates offer distinct advantages compared to conventional light blocking components for coronagraphs due to their continuous structure, thinness, and transparency. They allow high contrast over a broad band in any spectral region for which the available anisotropic optical materials are transparent. We present opportunities of reducing in-band leakage of vector vortex waveplates to <;0.001% level, and improving the tradeoff between the spectral bandwidth and efficiency. Comparative analysis of different architectures of vector vortex waveplates is performed.