Vectorial wavefront holography based on a polarisation-insensitive hologram

Abstract

Polarisation holography generally demands polarisation-sensitive holograms for reconstructing either polarisation-multiplexed holographic images or polarisation-sensitive image channels. To date, polarisation holography is underpinned by the Jones matrix method that uses birefringent holograms, including ultrathin metasurface holograms, limiting the polarisation control to orthogonal polarisation states. Here I introduce a novel concept of vectorial wavefront holography by exploiting the wavefront shaping of a structured vector beam. I will show that a phase hologram can be used to tailor the polarisation interference of a vector beam in momentum space, creating arbitrary polarisation states that include but not limited to the linear, circular, azimuthal, and radial polarisations. This opens an unprecedented opportunity for the multiplexing generation of arbitrary polarisation distributions in a holographic image. The demonstrated vectorial wavefront holography offers flexible polarisation control without using birefringent optical materials, which may find applications in polarisation imaging, holographic encryption, holographic data storage, multi-view displays, holographic Stokesmeter, and polarimetry.