Polarization‐Multiplexing Bessel Vortex Beams for Polarization Detection of Continuous Terahertz Waves

Abstract

AbstractDetermination of polarization states of electromagnetic waves plays a crucial role in photonic applications. However, it is very challenging to determine the polarization state of continuous terahertz (THz) waves. Here, a metasurface‐like metallic waveguide array (MWA) is proposed to address this by measuring both the phase difference and amplitude ratio of its two orthogonal components based on generation and interference of polarization‐multiplexing vortex beams. When a full‐polarized THz wave passes through the MWA, its two orthogonal components will be converted into +1st‐ and −1st‐order Bessel vortex beams, respectively. Their projection components in a proper polarized direction can interfere with each other, and their initial phase difference can be measured in real‐time owing to its linear relationship with the azimuth of the dark fringe in interference patterns. The two Bessel beams can be further collected separately using a linear polarizer to obtain their amplitude ratio. Therefore, the polarization state of incident waves can be determined with both the phase difference and amplitude ratio. The proposed method enables a convenient polarization determination of continuous THz waves and has great potential for developing polarization‐dependent investigations and applications in THz detection, communication, and sensing.