Space-variant polarization patterns of non-collinear Poincaré superpositions

Galvez, Enrique J.; Beach, Kory; Zeosky, Jonathan J.; Khajavi, Behzad

doi:10.1117/12.2079058

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…1(b), for which θ = 3⋅10 −4 rad. 28 In these fringes the polarization ellipse rotates by half a turn from fringe to fringe. So, if we follow a closed path around the center of the intersection of the two w beams (the origin), the polarization ellipse rotates by N half turns on the top side of the fringe pattern, and by N + | ℓ | half-turns in the opposite sense on the bottom side of the path.…”

Section: Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Multitwist Möbius Strips and Twisted Ribbons in the Polarization of Paraxial Light Beams

Galvez

Dutta

Beach

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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The polarization of light can exhibit unusual features when singular optical beams are involved. In 3-dimensional polarized random media the polarization orientation around singularities describe 1/2 or 3/2 Möbius strips. It has been predicted that if singular beams intersect non-collinearly in free space, the polarization ellipse rotates forming many-turn Möbius strips or twisted ribbons along closed loops around a central singularity. These polarization features are important because polarization is an aspect of light that mediate strong interactions with matter, with potential for new applications. We examined the non-collinear superposition of two unfocused paraxial light beams when one of them carried an optical vortex and the other one a uniform phase front, both in orthogonal states of circular polarization. It is known that these superpositions in 2-dimensions produce space-variant patterns of polarization. Relying on the symmetry of the problem, we extracted the 3-dimensional patterns from projective measurements, and confirmed the formation of many-turn Möbius strips or twisted ribbons when the topological charge of one of the component beams was odd or even, respectively. The measurements agree well with the modelings and confirmed that these types of patterns occur at macroscopic length scales and in ordinary superposition situations.

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Section: Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Multitwist Möbius Strips and Twisted Ribbons in the Polarization of Paraxial Light Beams

Galvez

Dutta

Beach

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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show abstract

“…The setup can also be used to examine other types of situations, such as displaced modes, 34,35 noncollinear modes, 36 three-dimensional Möbius patterns, 37,38 and new forms of knotted light 39 that include polarization. These can be accomplished by using birefringent optical elements or by inserting additional phases to the pattern programmed onto the SLM.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparation of Poincaré beams with a same-path polarization/spatial-mode interferometer

Khajavi

Galvez

2015

Opt. Eng

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Abstract. We present a same-path polarization interferometer that uses two spatial light modulators to encode the most general type of Poincaré beam. We demonstrate this design by presenting new results on the encoding of symmetric C-point polarization singularities using spatial modes with high-order topological charges. We also present new results on composite C-points. These are cases where there are multiple C-points in a single beam obtained by combining two modes with composite optical vortices in orthogonal states of polarization. The measurements show good agreement with the simulations.

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