Generation of arbitrary radially polarized array beams by manipulating correlation structure

Abstract

We demonstrate a convenient approach for simultaneously manipulating the amplitude and polarization of light beams by means of the modulation of the correlation structure. As an illustration, an arbitrary radially polarized array (RPA) beam of a radial or rectangular symmetry array is obtained by focusing a conventional radially polarized beam with specially designed correlation structure. The physical realizability conditions for such source and the far-field beam condition are derived. It is illustrated that the far-field beamlet shape and the state of polarization are strictly controlled by the initial correlation structure and the correlation parameter. Furthermore, by designing the source correlation structure, a tunable OK-shaped RPA beam and an optical cage are demonstrated, which can find widespread applications in micro-nano engineering and non-destructive manipulation of living biological cells.