OAM-resolved polarization in random light beams

Area of Science:

• Quantum Optics
• Electromagnetism
• Wave Physics

Background:

• Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) is a fundamental property of light, crucial for optical communications and microscopy.
• Characterizing the polarization of light with OAM requires advanced mathematical frameworks.
• Stationary optical fields exhibit complex statistical properties that influence their OAM and polarization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish the properties of the cross-spectral density orbital angular momentum (CSD-OAM) matrix for stationary optical fields.
• To introduce and define OAM-resolved polarization properties based on the CSD-OAM matrix.
• To investigate the nature of polarization within general random optical fields concerning OAM.

Main Methods:

• Mathematical formulation of the CSD-OAM matrix for beam-like optical fields.
• Analysis of the CSD-OAM matrix to derive polarization characteristics.
• Theoretical investigation of polarization states in general random fields.

Main Results:

• The properties of the CSD-OAM matrix for stationary optical fields are established.
• OAM-resolved polarization properties are introduced, directly linked to the CSD-OAM matrix.
• Two fundamental types of polarization are identified in general random fields: single-mode and dual-mode OAM-related polarization.

Conclusions:

• The CSD-OAM matrix provides a powerful tool for analyzing OAM-dependent polarization.
• General random fields exhibit a rich polarization structure that can be decomposed based on OAM.
• The findings offer new insights into the polarization dynamics of light carrying orbital angular momentum.