Random sources for beams with azimuthally varying polarization properties

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Electromagnetism

Background:

• Controlling light polarization is crucial for various optical applications.
• Existing methods for generating complex polarization states can be limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an analytical model for statistically stationary sources with controllable polarization.
• To demonstrate the generation of vortex-like degree of polarization (DOP) distributions.
• To experimentally validate the proposed model and source generation.

Main Methods:

• Development of an analytical model for light sources.
• Utilizing a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with two spatial light modulators for experimental setup.
• Characterizing the far-field polarization properties of the generated light.

Main Results:

• The analytical model successfully describes sources with independently controllable radial and azimuthal polarization.
• A vortex-like far-field distribution of the degree of polarization (DOP) was achieved.
• Experimental results closely matched theoretical predictions.

Conclusions:

• A new class of optical sources with tailored polarization properties has been developed.
• These sources offer precise control over radial and azimuthal polarization.
• Potential applications include advanced imaging, communication, and sensing leveraging polarization diversity.