Spatial mode analysis of optical beams carrying monstar disclinations

Abstract

Asymmetric polarization disclinations, such as monstars, can be generated in two distinct ways: (i) by an inseparable superposition of three spatial modes bearing optical vortices with circular polarization states; (ii) by using a modulated Poincaré beam, consisting of an inseparable superposition of the same circular polarization states with the fundamental Gaussian beam TEM00 and a single scalar beam exhibiting an azimuthally modulated vortex with an m-fold rotational symmetry. Based on the analysis of the spatial modes indirectly involved into the mix through the latter method, we investigate its capability of spanning as many disclinations as possibile, as well as its capability of enabling effective predictions about the generated patterns, such as relevant geometric features, at the early design stage.