Generation and conversion of mode beams and their polarization states on the basis of diffractive optical elements application

Abstract

We propose and analyze new polarization converters to transform the linearly polarized laser modes into axially symmetric modes, which show more promise in various applications, as well as generating various inhomogeneously polarized configurations. Designed converters are based on the coherent composition of the modal beams with different amplitude-phased distribution and polarization states. What makes the systems simple and universal is the use of diffractive optical elements (DOEs) to generate required mode patterns with specific space orientation alongside the simultaneous generation of different beams with different transverse mode content, which can be subsequently combined. The numerical modeling of the polarization mode converters has made it possible to analyze its performance and capabilities. The DOEs in question have been designed and fabricated. Natural experiments that demonstrate the generation of vector higher-order cylindrical beams have been conducted.