Radial (azimuthal) or Z polarization enables focusing of a laser beam to a smaller spot size and achieving the same machining properties in all directions. It is also applicable in optical tweezers and Raman spectroscopy. This special configuration lambda plate can either convert linear polarization to radial or azimuthal; or it can create an optical vortex of higher level (up to 4th and 5th) topological charge.