Polarization manipulation of radially polarized beams

Abstract. We used patterned radial polarizers to easily generate and detect radially polarized beams. We then showed how to spatially manipulate the two-dimensional polarization mapping provided by a radial polarizer using different waveplate systems to obtain new two-dimensional polarization states. One system is particularly useful, since it converts the radial polarized beam into the azimuthally polarized beam. The transformed beams were analyzed using linear, circular, and radial polarizers. The Jones matrix formalism was applied for the theoretical analysis.

[1]  Alexander Jesacher,et al.  Tailoring of arbitrary optical vector beams , 2007 .

[2]  James C Wyant,et al.  Phase-shifting birefringent scatterplate interferometer. , 2002, Applied optics.

[3]  Shigeki Matsuo,et al.  Matrix calculus for axially symmetric polarized beam. , 2011, Optics express.

[4]  Jeffrey A. Davis,et al.  Decomposition of radially and azimuthally polarized beams using a circular-polarization and vortex-sensing diffraction grating. , 2010, Optics express.

[5]  Xiaojin Zhao,et al.  Thin Photo-Patterned Micropolarizer Array for CMOS Image Sensors , 2009, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters.

[6]  Gerd Leuchs,et al.  Focusing light to a tighter spot , 2000 .

[7]  L. Marrucci,et al.  Optical spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion in inhomogeneous anisotropic media. , 2006, Physical review letters.

[8]  M Stalder,et al.  Linearly polarized light with axial symmetry generated by liquid-crystal polarization converters. , 1996, Optics letters.

[9]  J. Patel,et al.  Polarization controller using nematic liquid crystals. , 1999, Optics letters.

[10]  Kimani C Toussaint,et al.  Generation of optical vector beams with a diffractive optical element interferometer. , 2005, Optics letters.

[11]  Qiaofeng Tan,et al.  Theoretical and experimental studies on tightly focused vector vortex beams. , 2011, Applied optics.

[12]  J. Davis,et al.  Two-dimensional polarization encoding with a phase-only liquid-crystal spatial light modulator. , 2000, Applied optics.

[13]  David J. Brady,et al.  Fabrication of high-resolution micropolarizer arrays , 1997 .

[14]  Bruce Z Gao,et al.  Generating radial or azimuthal polarization by axial sampling of circularly polarized vortex beams. , 2007, Applied optics.

[15]  L. Marrucci,et al.  Polarization pattern of vector vortex beams generated by q-plates with different topological charges. , 2012, Applied optics.

[16]  Z. Bomzon,et al.  Formation of radially and azimuthally polarized light using space-variant subwavelength metal stripe gratings , 2001 .

[17]  Jianping Ding,et al.  Generation of arbitrary vector beams with a spatial light modulator and a common path interferometric arrangement. , 2007, Optics letters.

[18]  G Leuchs,et al.  Sharper focus for a radially polarized light beam. , 2003, Physical review letters.

[19]  Nicolas Passilly,et al.  Simple interferometric technique for generation of a radially polarized light beam. , 2005, Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics, image science, and vision.

[20]  S C Tidwell,et al.  Generating radially polarized beams interferometrically. , 1990, Applied optics.

[21]  Q. Zhan.  Cylindrical vector beams: from mathematical concepts to applications , 2009 .