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Structured caustic vector vortex optical field: manipulating optical angular momentum flux and polarization rotation.
Rui-Pin Chen1, Zhaozhong Chen2, Khian-Hooi Chew3
1Department of Physics, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China.
Scientific Reports
|May 30, 2015
Summary
Researchers created a novel caustic vector vortex optical field. This new optical field allows dynamic control over angular momentum and polarization states, expanding optical system capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Quantum Information Science
Background:
- Vector vortex optical fields offer structured polarization and orbital angular momentum.
- Controlling these properties dynamically during propagation is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally generate and demonstrate a caustic vector vortex optical field.
- To investigate the dynamic management of spin and orbital angular momentum flux and states of polarization (SoP) during propagation.
Main Methods:
- A caustic-based approach was employed to generate the optical field.
- Spatial phase functions were imposed on a vector vortex optical field to control caustic trajectories and SoP.
- Initial polarization and vortex topological charges were intentionally chosen to modulate the caustic phase.
Main Results:
- A caustic vector vortex optical field with arbitrary acceleration trajectories and structured SoP was successfully generated.
- Dynamic management of spin and orbital angular momentum flux distributions, including opposite directions, was achieved.
- Rotation of SoP during propagation was observed due to the vortex, modulated by the caustic phase.
Conclusions:
- The caustic vector vortex optical field enables multi-manipulation of optical angular momentum fluxes and SoP.
- This approach expands the functionality of optical systems for complex manipulation scenarios.
- The findings pave the way for advanced optical field control and applications.
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