Orbital angular momentum beam excitation through direct phase-matched coupling is experimentally demonstrated using an all-fiber weakly fused mode selective coupler consisting of a single-mode fiber and a ring-core fiber. Experimental results showing the excited OAM mode purity of up to 75% measured through the standard ring technique not only demonstrate the proof of concept but also provide a baseline for further improvement.

Stokes polarimetry measurements are carried out to calculate the spatial and angular Goos-Hänchen and Imbert-Fedorov shifts of a Gaussian beam reflected at glass-air interface, by measuring the phase difference between the TE and TM components and the amplitude of reflection. Variation of the beam shifts as a function of input beam polarization is also measured. The results obtained here are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions and the results obtained using a position sensitive detector. The polarimetric measurement method is accurate, independent of the intensity distribution of the beam, and opens up a new method to study the beam shift problem.

Self-healing, a counterintuitive but significant effect in structured light, that granting a light field the ability to reconstruct itself after a partial obstruction placed in its propagation path. Here, we will give a comprehensive review of the history and development of self-healing effects, especially highlighting its importance in vector vortex beams carrying spin and orbital angular momenta. Moreover, an unified zoology of self-healing, structured light is proposed to unveil a deeper understanding of its physical mechanism and provide a bird's eye view on diverse forms of self-healing effects of different kinds of complex structured light. Finally, we outline the open challenges we are facing, potential opportunities and future trends for both fundamental physics and applications.

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