Generation Of Vector Beams Research Articles

Vector beams encoded by diverse orthogonal polarization states and their generation based on metasurfaces

Vector beams with spatially varying polarization states have wide application prospects. Convenient and feasible generation of compact vector beams become important for the applications in integrated optics and optical communication. Based on the superposition of orthogonal polarization vortex beams and the metasurface design, this paper studies systematically vector beams with hybrid states of polarization in diverse orthogonal polarization encoding. The spatial polarization of vector beam can be controlled through choosing the polarization types and adjusting the contributions of two orthogonal polarized beams. The generated vector beams based on metasurfaces verify the output of diversity polarization states in the transverse plane. The high polarization sensitivity of vector beam is beneficial to the polarization multiplexing and the utilization of optical metasurface realizes the polarization manipulation in nanometer scale. This work lays the foundation for the construction of complex vector beams and it is helpful for expanding the applications of vector beams.

Metaoptics for the spin-controlled generation of orbital angular momentum vector beams

Moving from diffractive optics to metalenses, novel tools for structuring light are provided for the integration in compact optical layouts. Here we propose new metaoptics designed for light shaping into structured beams implementing on-demand vectorial configurations. Different optical layouts are achieved in order to generate orbital angular momentum (OAM) vector beams with different shape and peculiarities.

Controlled generation of order-switchable cylindrical vector beams from a Nd:YAG laser

Controlled generation of order-switchable cylindrical vector beams from a Nd:YAG laser

On-demand multiplexed vortex beams for terahertz polarization detection based on metasurfaces.

The manipulation of polarization states is crucial for tailoring light-matter interactions and has great applications in fundamental science. Nevertheless, conventional polarization measurement approaches are extremely challenging to determine the polarization state of incident terahertz (THz) beams. The combination of metasurfaces and inhomogeneous vector vortex beams (VVBs) provides a new solution for integrated polarization-related functional devices. Herein, a general design strategy for spin-multiplexing all-silicon metasurfaces is presented and demonstrated in THz polarization detection. The employment of basic building blocks with a high aspect ratio (AR) imparts a greater degree of freedom for generating vector beams, and those basic blocks are subsequently utilized to explore the visualized polarization state. With the assistance of a THz near-field scanning system, we evaluate the capability of reconstructing the incident polarization state from the longitudinal polarization component multiplexed by vortex beams with tight focusing characteristics. Not only that, we also utilize the polarization with dynamically varying behavior as the illumination method to elucidate the evolution trend of the polarization state under a single snapshot and establish a visualized parametric model. This work paves the way to realize ultra-compact THz polarization detection-related devices for future applications in remote sensing, high-resolution imaging, and communications.

Cylindrical vector beam generation from a passively mode-locked Raman fiber laser

We experimentally investigate cylindrical vector beam (CVB) generation from a passively mode-locked Raman fiber laser. The mode-locked Raman fiber lasers based on nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR), utilize the Raman gain resulted from the stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) effect in passive fibers, instead of stimulated emission amplification of active fibers in conventional mode-locked fiber lasers. With a mode-selective coupler (MSC) incorporated into the mode-locked Raman fiber laser, the generation of CVBs has been realized. In experiment, using a Raman pump source of 1454 nm, mode-locked CVB output with central wavelength of 1562 nm was obtained. The output polarization state can be switched between the radial and azimuthal polarization states, and the beam purity is above 90%. Due to the broadband Raman gain in optical fiber, the CVB output with the desired wavelength is available in principle by selecting a suitable pump source. This kind of flexible wavelength CVB Raman fiber laser may have potential applications in optical communications and fiber optics.

Flexible Method for Generating Arbitrary Vector Beams Based on Modified Off-Axis Interference-Type Hologram Encoding

A novel experimental setup for the generation of arbitrary vector beams is proposed. The system major includes two reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulators (RLC-SLM) and a polarizing beam splitting prism. Moreover, this method is not limited by the wavelength of light wave and the pixel size of SLM. Theoretical analysis shows that when Gaussian beam or a plane beam is illuminated on a computer-generated hologram (CGH) specially designed in this work, the complex amplitudes of the vector field’s two orthogonal polarization components may be changed by modifying the encoding parameters, resulting in a vector beam with arbitrary complex amplitude and polarization in the output field. The experimental results also show that the two independent coding channels of the device have good polarization-selective imaging ability, which greatly improves the flexibility of generating arbitrary vector beams.

Multi-Function Reflective Vector Light Fields Generated by All-Dielectric Encoding Metasurface.

Traditional optics usually studies the uniform polarization state of light. Compared with uniform vector beams, non-uniform vector beams have more polarization information. Most of the research on generating cylindrical vector beams using metasurfaces focuses on generating transmitted beams using the geometric phase. However, the geometric phase requires the incident light to be circularly polarized, which limits the design freedom. Here, an all-dielectric reflective metasurface is designed to generate different output light according to the different polarization states of the incident light. By combining the two encoding arrangements of the dynamic phase and the geometric phase, the output light is a radial vector beam when the linearly polarized light is incident along the x-direction. Under the incidence of linearly polarized light along the y-direction, the generated output light is an azimuthal vector beam. Under the incidence of left-handed circularly polarized light, the generated output light is a vortex beam with a topological charge of -1. Under the incidence of right-handed circularly polarized light, the generated output light is a vortex beam with a topological charge of +1. The proposed reflective metasurface has potential applications in generating vector beams with high integration.

Pixel level control of amplitude, phase, and polarization of an arbitrary vector beam

The generation of vector beams with complex spatial distributions is significant in the field of optical manipulation, optical metrology, optical microscopy, and so on. In this work, we propose a method to generate arbitrary vector beams, which is based on the complex amplitude beam shaping technology and the interferometric optical path configuration. With the method, we can achieve pixel-level control of amplitude, phase, and polarization of an arbitrary vector beam. Furthermore, different polarization states and orientations can be designed to coexist in one beam. The method has been verified with theoretical analysis and experimental results. The proposed method expands the application range of vector beams and provides a conducive way to explore the optical properties of the vector beams.

Experimental generation of arbitrary abruptly autofusing Circular Airy Gaussian vortex vector beams

Complex vector modes represent a general state of light nonseparable in their spatial and polarization degrees of freedom, which have inspired a wide variety of novel applications and phenomena, such as their unexpected propagation behaviour. For example, they can propagate describing periodic polarization transitions, changing from one vector beam to another. Here, we put forward a novel class of vector modes with the capability to experience an abruptly autofocusing behaviour. To achieve such beams, we encode the spatial degree of freedom in the Circular Airy Gaussian vortex (CAGV) beams. We demonstrate the experimental generation of arbitrary CAGV vector beams and evince some of their properties, such as a rotation of intermodal phase. We anticipate that the fascinating properties of theses modes will prompt the development of novel applications associated to their autofocusing behaviour and polarization distribution.

Color-selective three-dimensional polarization structures

Polarization as an important degree of freedom for light plays a key role in optics. Structured beams with controlled polarization profiles have diverse applications, such as information encoding, display, medical and biological imaging, and manipulation of microparticles. However, conventional polarization optics can only realize two-dimensional polarization structures in a transverse plane. The emergent ultrathin optical devices consisting of planar nanostructures, so-called metasurfaces, have shown much promise for polarization manipulation. Here we propose and experimentally demonstrate color-selective three-dimensional (3D) polarization structures with a single metasurface. The geometric metasurfaces are designed based on color and phase multiplexing and polarization rotation, creating various 3D polarization knots. Remarkably, different 3D polarization knots in the same observation region can be achieved by controlling the incident wavelengths, providing unprecedented polarization control with color information in 3D space. Our research findings may be of interest to many practical applications such as vector beam generation, virtual reality, volumetric displays, security, and anti-counterfeiting.

Orthogonal separation of arbitrary vector beams from non-polarized light waves based on a patterned liquid-crystal photo-alignment.

An effective method for orthogonally separating arbitrary vector polarized beams from non-polarized incident light waves is proposed in this Letter. A tunable patterned spatial distribution of liquid-crystal (LC) molecules can be effectively constructed based on both the initial photo-alignment and the electrically controlled birefringence of nematic LC materials. The LC photo-alignment over a smooth surface without any common nano-grooves leads to a highly efficient light-wave transformation by inducing a desired initial arrangement of LC directors and then acquiring extraordinary light waves with the needed, or even arbitrary, spatial polarization. The vector polarized beams can be highly converged according to a microhole-patterned electrode and a gradient refractive index distribution of the LC layer, which is driven and adjusted by an applied signal voltage. Due to the intrinsic polarization sensitivity of nematic LC materials, the formed gradient refractive index appearance only corresponds to extraordinary light waves. The proposed approach provides a way to achieve the orthogonal separation of arbitrary vector beams from non-polarized light waves. Moreover, it can be further utilized to generate and obtain arbitrary vector beams, as well as to perform adaptive light-beam convergence or even the focusing of arbitrary vector beams, which is expected to advance the development of vector beam generation and manipulation, thereby stimulating potential applications.

Structured Vector Field Manipulation of Terahertz Wave along the Propagation Direction Based on Dielectric Metasurfaces

AbstractThe generation and manipulation of vector light fields are of great significance for both fundamental research and industrial applications of polarized optics. In recent years, the spatial domain control of structured vector fields has gradually expanded from two‐ to three‐dimensional, including traditional optics and meta‐optics. Here, a new method to generate and manipulate structured vector light fields along the propagation direction is proposed, and the functionality in terahertz band using all‐silicon metasurfaces is demonstrated. The coherent superposition of orthogonal circularly polarized terahertz waves through long focal depth and multifocal metalens is completed, and varying phase differences between them in the propagation direction via path accumulation or initial phase design are introduced, thereby continuous variation or independently designed vector polarization distributions in multiple planes are obtained. It is worth mentioning that the proposed scheme is not only for the design of transverse electric field components, but also shows a strong ability for manipulation of the longitudinal component. This scheme realizes the polarization distribution designs of three‐dimensional vector fields in three‐dimensional space, and provides a new inspiration for the generation and manipulation of vector beams based on meta‐optics.

Tailoring ultra-broadband vector beams via programming the electric field vector of light.

With spatially inhomogeneous polarization, vector beam (VB) has created substantial opportunities in both optics and photonics. However, the limited spectral bandwidth of VB generator hinders further advances for higher level of integration and functionality. Here, an innovative approach of programming the electric field vector of light is proposed to tailor arbitrary ultra-broadband VBs, in parallel among an unprecedented wavelength range over 1000 nm covering the visible and NIR band. We demonstrate the twisted nematic liquid crystals (TNLCs), specifically arranged in-situ by a dynamic programmable photopatterning, enable to directly manipulate the electric field vector of transmitted light into the VB as desired. Furthermore, the electrical responsiveness of TNLCs yields a dynamic multifunctionality between the VB and Gaussian beam. We anticipate this ultra-broadband VB generator would be promising for a variety of applications like optical manipulation, super-resolution imaging, and integrated optical communication system.

Single-wavelength, single-shot pulse oximetry using an LED-generated vector beam.

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is an optical technique that monitors blood oxygen saturation levels, typically with the use of pulse oximeters. Conventional pulse oximetry estimates the ratio of light absorbed at two wavelengths. Attempts have been made to improve the precision of these measurements by using polarized light, with the tradeoff of requiring multiple sequential measurements. We demonstrate a novel PPG technique that uses radially polarized light generated by a light-emitting diode (LED) to obtain single-shot, blood oxygen-saturation measurements using a single wavelength at a rate of 50 fps. Our work, to the best of our knowledge, presents both a novel use of a vector beam and a first demonstration of vector-beam generation using LEDs.

Switchable metamaterials for broadband absorption and generation of vector beams

Metamaterial (MM) based on double-split resonator and vanadium dioxide (VO2) in terahertz (THz) region is proposed in this paper, which integrates broadband absorption (ABS) and generation of vector beams. Simulation results show that by tuning the VO2 into metallic phase, the ABS of proposed MMs achieves over 90% in 1.35–2.18 THz. The physical mechanism of broadband ABS is clarified by introducing the impedance matching theory and distributions of electric field. Moreover, ABS characteristics of the designed MMs at different polarization angles and incident angles are also studied, respectively. While VO2 is in insulated state, simulation results indicate that the radial polarized beam and the angular polarized beam can be generated when the incident wave is x-polarization and y-polarization, respectively. The polarization conversion rate over 90% is realized between 1.37 THz and 2.20 THz within the incident angle of 10°. The bi-functional MMs proposed in this paper has promising applications in modulators, imaging and sensors.

Generation of cylindrical vector beams in a linear cavity mode-locked fiber laser based on nonlinear multimode interference.

In this paper, a linear cavity mode-locked pulsed fiber laser generating cylindrical vector beams (CVBs) is proposed and demonstrated based on a nonlinear multimode interference. A homemade long-period fiber grating with a broad bandwidth of 121 nm is used as a mode converter inside the cavity. The saturable absorber was formed by single-mode fiber-graded index multimode fiber-single mode fiber (SMF-GIMF-SMF) structure. By controlling the pump power, the operation states are switchable among continuous-wave, Q-switched mode-locked (QML), and mode-locked regimes. The repetition rate of the QML CVB pulse envelope varies from 57.4 kHz to 102.7 kHz at the pump range of 118 to 285 mW. When increasing pump power to 380 mW, mode-locked CVB pulse repetition rate of 3.592 MHz, and pulse duration of 4.62 ns are achieved. In addition, the maximum single-pulse envelope energy can reach 510 nJ, and 142 mW average-power CVBs with a slope efficiency of as high as 20.2% can be obtained. Moreover, azimuthally and radially polarized beams can be obtained with mode purity over 95% in different operating regimes. The proposed fiber laser has a simple structure, and the operation is controllable in both temporal and spatial domains, which presents a flexible pulsed CVB source for application of laser processing, time or mode division multiplexing system, and spatiotemporal nonlinear optics.

Vector beam generation based on spin-decoupling metasurface zone plate

As singular beams, vector beams with inhomogeneous polarization distribution have found extensive application prospects in many fields, including optical information processing, high-resolution imaging, and quantum optics. Metasurfaces with strong ability to manipulate the polarization and phase of electromagnetic waves have been harnessed to generate vector beams. Among them, the proposal of metasurfaces with different responses to orthogonally polarized waves can undoubtedly enhance the flexibility of optical device design. Here, we introduce the diffractive optics (Fresnel zone plates) into the spin-decoupling metasurfaces, called the metasurface zone plates, utilized to engender desired vector beams. As a demonstration, we design two metasurface zone plates: one can generate a focused vector beam under linearly polarized incidence, and the other is exploited to engender a vector vortex beam. The simulated and measured results simultaneously demonstrate the feasibility and practicability of such a concept. Our work unlocks the potential of optical devices and may further promote the development of metasurface polarizers toward miniaturization and versatility.

Generation of A Space-Variant Vector Beam with Catenary-Shaped Polarization States.

We demonstrate the generation of a space-variant vector beam with catenary-shaped polarization states based on the polarization interferometry. With a spatial light modulator and a common path interferometric configuration, two orthogonally circularly polarized beams with different phase modulation overlap each other, yielding the vector beams. In addition, the polarization states of this vector beam are scalable to the arbitrary spatial distribution because of its great flexibility and universal applicability. It is expected that this vector beam may have many potential and intriguing applications in the micro/nano material processing, liquid crystal elements fabrication and optical micro-manipulation, and so on.

Generation of vector beams with different polarization singularities based on metasurfaces

In view of wide applications of vector beams and powerful light manipulation ability of metasurfaces, this paper studies the generation of two kinds of vector beams with different polarization singularities based on metasurfaces. One kind of vector beams are the linearly polarized vector beam with uncertain polarization orientation and the other kind of vector beams are the elliptically polarized vector beam with hybrid polarization states with uncertain polarization orientation, ellipticity and handedness. These vector beams can be decomposed into two or more uniform polarization states carrying the spiral phases. The metasurfaces consisting of rotated cross nanoholes are designed to generate vector beams on basis of the decomposition of vector beams and phase modulation of nanoholes. The simulation results verify the availability of the designed metasurfaces and the experiment results validate the generation of two kinds of vector beams. The generation of complex vector beams based on compact metasurfaces can bring more application possibilities of vector beams in classical physics and quantum sciences.

Simultaneous and independent control of phase and polarization in terahertz band for functional integration of multiple devices

The control of phase and polarization in terahertz (THz) range is very valuable for wireless communication, biomedicine, and security inspection. Recently, metasurfaces composed of sub-wavelength artificial structures are proposed for the control of THz waves. However, it is still a challenge to realize simultaneous and independent control of the wavefront and polarization distribution in the THz band, although which has been achieved in the optical band by using several metasurfaces. Here, metallic waveguide arrays (MWAs) are proposed to manipulate both the wavefront of two orthogonal polarization components and the phase difference between them so as to attain independent spatial distributions of the phase and polarization direction. By using the compact MWAs, the functional integration of multiple THz devices is attained, including the integration of a lens with a quarter-wave plate, a half-wave plate, and vector beam generators, respectively. The corresponding control efficiency can even be comparable with that of a commercial lens just for THz focusing. The functional integration of multiple devices makes the MWAs very significant in promoting the miniaturization of THz systems and reducing the insertion loss of functional devices, owing to the remarkable decrease of the number and size of required devices.