Cylindrical Polarization Research Articles

Entangling Different Degrees of Freedom by Quadrature Squeezing Cylindrically Polarized Modes

Quantum systems such as, for example, photons, atoms, or Bose-Einstein condensates, prepared in complex states where entanglement between distinct degrees of freedom is present, may display several intriguing features. In this Letter we introduce the concept of such complex quantum states for intense beams of light by exploiting the properties of cylindrically polarized modes. We show that already in a classical picture the spatial and polarization field variables of these modes cannot be factorized. Theoretically it is proven that by quadrature squeezing cylindrically polarized modes one generates entanglement between these two different degrees of freedom. Experimentally we demonstrate amplitude squeezing of an azimuthally polarized mode by exploiting the nonlinear Kerr effect in a specially tailored photonic crystal fiber. These results display that such novel continuous-variable entangled systems can, in principle, be realized.

Effects of Radial and Tangential Polarization in Laser Material Processing

The polarization state of a laser beam has a strong influence on the process in almost any kind of laser material processing. The benefit of material processing with cylindrical polarization was described by several authors. Recently, intra-cavity polarization generation and extracavity polarization conversion for industry-level high-power lasers were presented. The present paper gives an overview over the state of the art and the latest results for cutting, welding and drilling achieved at the IFSW of the University of Stuttgart.

Formation of sub-half-wavelength focal spot with ultra long depth of focus

We theoretically demonstrate the creation of sub-wavelength focal spot with ultra long depth of focus (DOF) non-diffracting. To achieve a sub-half-wavelength focal spot (0.4λ) with modulation, extended DOF (over 9.5λ) in vacuum, an integration of amplitude phase encoding, cylindrical polarization and the combination of dual-beams is utilized. Further analysis also predicts that a flattop intensity distribution along z axis can be observed around the ideal focus point.

Vectorial fiber laser using intracavity axial birefringence

In this paper we investigate the polarization properties of a fiber laser with an intracavity c-cut calcite crystal that is capable of producing reconfigurable vectorial output modes. Vectorial modes with radial, azimuthal and generalized cylindrical vector polarizations can be generated by translating one lens within the laser cavity. Detailed studies of the mode polarization evolution show that the modes inside the laser cavity can be spatially homogeneously polarized in one section of the cavity while being spatially inhomogeneously polarized in another section of the cavity, which opens the opportunities for many potential new fiber laser design possibilities and applications. Furthermore, more complicated vectorial vortex output modes are also observed by purposefully introducing angular misalignments.

Generation of radially and azimuthally polarized light by optical transmission through concentric circular nanoslits in Ag films

Optical transmission through concentric circular nanoslits is studied in experiments and numerical simulations. Polarized optical microscopic imaging shows that the optical transmission through these apertures is spatially inhomogeneous, exhibiting colored fan texture patterns. Numerical simulations show that these colored fan texture patterns originate from the cylindrical vector polarization of the transmitted beam. Specifically, the transmitted light is in-phase radially polarized at long wavelengths due to the predominant transmission of the transverse magnetic (TM) waveguide modes; and in-phase azimuthally polarized at short wavelengths due to the increased optical transmission of the transverse electric (TE) waveguide modes. Additionally, the transmission shows a peak at the wavelength of Wood anomaly and a dip at the resonant wavelength of surface plasmon excitation; and the transmitted light at these wavelengths is a mixture of azimuthally and radially polarized fields. These interesting optical transmission behaviors of circular nanoslits provide a miniaturized way to generating radially and azimuthally polarized light.

Propagation properties of a cylindrically polarized vector beam

A general expression for the electric field of a cylindrically polarized vector beam propagating in free space is derived on the basis of the exact fully vectorial solution of Maxwell equations in transverse Fourier space, which indicates that a cylindrical polarization can be regarded as the combination of radial and azimuthal polarizations, and the electric field retains cylindrical symmetry under the propagation. The simulation results denote that the longitudinal electric field depends on the ratio of the waist width to wavelength and the angle between the electrical vector and the radial direction; in particular, when this angle is 24.5°, a flattop intensity distribution is obtained at the plane z = 0.

Simple and high efficient optical trapping using a cylindrical lens and a single plane wave of incidence

We suggest a simple and high efficient method for trapping particles in the evanescent field. In this method, a single plane wave is normally incident on the cylindrical surface of a cylindrical lens and then incident on the plane surface of the lens at an angle larger than the critical angle. Multiple reflections of light within the cylindrical lens create two evanescent waves with different directions in the transmitted field. Interference of two evanescent waves comes into being a standing wave which can stably trap particles close to the top of the cylindrical lens. Based on the Rayleigh approximation, we obtain analytical expressions of optical force acting on a Rayleigh particle placed in the vicinity of the lens. We find that the trap stiffness and trap depth is dependent on the radius of the cylindrical lens, wavelength and polarization of light, and incident angle at the lens–liquid interface.

Three-dimensional focus shaping with cylindrical vector beams

A three-dimensional focus shaping technique using the combination of cylindrical polarization with binary diffractive optical element is proposed. The energy density pattern at the vicinity of the focus can be tailored in three dimensions by appropriately adjusting the parameters of the cylindrical vector beam illumination, numerical aperture of the objective lens and the design of the binary diffractive optical element. Focus with extended depth of focus that has both transversal and longitudinal flattop profile is obtained. Optical bubble that has a total dark volume surrounded by high field distributions is also shown. Potential applications of this focus shaping technique are discussed.

Properties of circularly polarized vortex beams

The properties of circularly polarized vortex beams in cylindrical polarization bases are studied. A circularly polarized vortex beam is decomposed into radial and azimuthal polarization. With the proper combination of vortex charge and the handedness of the circular polarization, a focal field with an extremely strong longitudinal component as well as a flat-topped profile can be obtained. The cylindrical decomposition also sheds light on the connections between orbital angular momentum and the spin of the light beams.

Quantum dots created through spherically polarized nuclear spins

Electronic structure of quantum dots created by spherically polarized nuclear spins is studied. A peculiarity of this type of quantum dots is that their energy spectrum evolves as a result of nuclear spin diffusion and relaxation. We have found that the number of energy levels, as well as their depth, decreases with time in quantum dots with spherical nuclear spin polarization. This observation contrasts with previous results obtained for quantum dots with cylindrical nuclear spin polarization.

Optical vortices in focal regions

Optical vortices in focal regions are studied using the Debye approximation. We discuss how scalar vortices give rise to different intensity structures in the focal region for a certain class of apertures. Vortices in cylindrical symmetric polarization distributions form new complex structures in the focal region, and in some cases the intensity is no longer zero on the optical axis. In particular, we find that for an azimuthal polarization distribution the local circulation deviates from that of the vortex impinging on the lens. On the other hand, upon using a radially polarized field distribution combined with an annular aperture, only the electric-field component along the optical axis remains, and the field structure is the same as in the scalar case.

Interferometric measurement of the geometric phase in space-variant polarization manipulations

We report on an interferometric measurement of the geometric phase in space-variant polarization manipulations. We mathematically show the existence of such a phase and experimentally verify it using a dichroic cylindrical polarizer. A dichroic radial analyzer converts a circularly polarized beam into an azimuthally polarized beam with a spiral geometric phase. A Mach–Zehnder interferometer is used to measure this spiral phase.

Development of spherical and cylindrical polarization for three‐dimensional piezoelectric finite elements

Three‐dimensional analysis of spherical or cylindrical transducers with axially or radially polarized piezoelectric ceramics is rather difficult because it needs a large number of classical elements to take into account the correct polarization. A new type of piezoelectric finite element has been developed in the ATILA code [J. N. Decarpigny et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 78, 1499 (1985)] to obtain a good representation of the polarization. This paper describes these elements and analyzes the results (in air resonance modes, electrical characteristics, and mode shapes) obtained on some examples.