Generation of optical vortices with controllable topological charges and polarization patterns

Ching-Han Yang; Andy Ying-Guey Fuh

doi:10.1117/12.2249452

15 February 2017 Generation of optical vortices with controllable topological charges and polarization patterns

Ching-Han Yang, Andy Ying-Guey Fuh

Proceedings Volume 10125, Emerging Liquid Crystal Technologies XII; 101250P (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2249452
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2017, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

We present a simple and flexible method of generating various vectorial vortex beams (VVBs) based on the scheme of double modulations from a single liquid crystal spatial light modulator (SLM). In this configuration, a half-wave plate (HWP) placed in front of the SLM is first used to control the weights of linear polarization components of incident light. Then, we respectively encode two orbital angular momentum (OAM) eigenstates displayed on each half of the SLM onto each of the linear components of light. This yields the generation of VVB fields spanned by a pair of linearly polarized OAM eigenstates. In order to convert polarization bases from the linear pair into another orthogonal pair, a quarter-wave plate (QWP) placed behind the SLM is used. This enables us to generate VVBs spanned by any pair of orthogonally polarized OAM eigenstates. Generally, the light states of polarization (SOP) can be presented as a geodesic path located on the plane perpendicular to the axis connecting the pair of bases used on the Poincaré sphere. The light property is adjustable depending on both slow axes of HWP and QWP, as well as via computer generated holograms. To validate generated beams, two measurement procedures are subsequently applied. First, Stokes polarimetry is used to measure the light SOP over the transverse plane. Next, a Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor is used to measure the OAM charge. Both the simulated and experimental results are shown to be in a good qualitative agreement. In addition, both polarization patterns and OAM charges can be controlled independently using the proposed method.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Ching-Han Yang and Andy Ying-Guey Fuh "Generation of optical vortices with controllable topological charges and polarization patterns", Proc. SPIE 10125, Emerging Liquid Crystal Technologies XII, 101250P (15 February 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2249452

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available