Radial Polarization Research Articles

Investigations on ring-shaped pumping distributions for the generation of beams with radial polarization in an Yb:YAG thin-disk laser.

We present experimental investigations on the generation of radially polarized laser beams excited by a ring-shaped pump intensity distribution in combination with polarizing grating waveguide mirrors in an Yb:YAG thin-disk laser resonator. Hollow optical fiber components were implemented in the pump beam path to transform the commonly used flattop pumping distribution into a ring-shaped distribution. The investigation was focused on finding the optimum mode overlap between the ring-shaped pump spot and the excited first order Laguerre-Gaussian (LG(01)) doughnut mode. The power, efficiency and polarization state of the emitted laser beam as well as the thermal behavior of the disk was compared to that obtained with a standard flattop pumping distribution. A maximum output power of 107 W with a high optical efficiency of 41.2% was achieved by implementing a 300 mm long specially manufactured hollow fiber into the pump beam path. Additionally it was found that at a pump power of 280 W the maximum temperature increase is about 21% below the one observed with standard homogeneous pumping.

Nonazimuthal linear polarization in protoplanetary disks

Several studies discussing imaging polarimetry observations of protoplanetary disks use the so-called radial Stokes parameters Q_phi and U_phi to discuss the results. This approach has the advantage of providing a direct measure of the noise in the polarized images under the assumption that the polarization is azimuthal only, i.e., perpendicular to the direction towards the illuminating source. However, a detailed study of the validity of this assumption is currently missing. We aim to test whether departures from azimuthal polarization can naturally be produced by scattering processes in optically thick protoplanetary disks at near infrared wavelengths. We use the radiative transfer code MCFOST to create a generic model of a transition disk using different grain size distributions and dust masses. From these models we generate synthetic polarized images at 2.2\mum. We find that even for moderate inclinations (e.g., i = 40degr), multiple scattering alone can produce significant (up to ~4.5% of the Q_phi image) non-azimuthal polarization reflected in the U_phi images. We also find that different grain populations can naturally produce radial polarization (negative values in the Q_phi images). Our results suggest that caution is recommended when interpreting polarized images by only analyzing the Q_phi and U_phi images. We find that there can be astrophysical signal in the U_phi images and negative values in the Q_phi images, which indicate departures from azimuthal polarization. If significant signal is detected in the U_phi images, we recommend to check the standard Q and U images to look for departures from azimuthal polarization. On the positive side, signal in the U_phi images once all instrumental and data-reduction artifacts have been corrected for means that there is more information to be extracted regarding the dust population and particle density.

Optically induced rotation of Rayleigh particles by vortex beams with different states of polarization

Optical vortex beams carry optical orbital angular momentum (OAM) and can induce an orbital motion of trapped particles in optical trapping. We show that the state of polarization (SOP) of vortex beams will affect the details of this optically induced orbital motion to some extent. Numerical results demonstrate that focusing the vortex beams with circular, radial or azimuthal polarizations can induce a uniform orbital motion on a trapped Rayleigh particle, while in the focal field of the vortex beam with linear polarization the particle experiences a non-uniform orbital motion. Among the formers, the vortex beam with circular polarization induces a maximum optical torque on the particle. Furthermore, by varying the topological charge of the vortex beams, the vortex beam with circular polarization gives rise to an optimum torque superior to those given by the other three vortex beams. These facts suggest that the circularly polarized vortex beam is more suitable for rotating particles.

Analysis of surface plasmon polariton nanofocusing by asymmetric metal-coated dielectric probe: Partial metal-coating

For the purpose of developing the probe using surface plasmon polariton (SPP) nanofocusing that is valid for incident linearly polarized (LP) wave, the partially metal-coated dielectric conical probe is investigated numerically by the volume integral equation. It is found that it possible to perform SPP nanofocusing using this probe for incident LP Gaussian beam in addition to incident radially polarized (RP) beam. The basic characteristics of the strongly localized and enhanced optical near-fields on the tip of the probe and optical intensities inside the probe are investigated. For the incident LP beams, it is found that the optimum structure of the partially metal-coated dielectric probe exists. For the case of incident RP beam, partial metal-coating of the probe degrades the characteristic of nanofocusing, i.e., fully metal-coated conventional probe is the optimum shape for incident RP beam.

Sensitiveness of axial magnetic field on electron acceleration by a radially polarized laser pulse in vacuum

We examine the electron acceleration by a radially polarized (RP) laser pulse in vacuum under influence of an intense axial magnetic field. The electron while interaction with a RP laser pulse gets accelerated with high energy gain. The attained energy gain further enhanced up-to the order of GeV with an intense RP laser pulse. We observe a significant enhancement in energy gain in the presence of an intense axial magnetic field in the direction of propagation of laser pulse. The presence of axial magnetic field improves the strength of v→×B→ force which supports the retaining of betatron resonance for longer durations. This improves the electron acceleration with an enhanced energy gain up to 5.2GeV. It is noticed that the axial magnetic field is sensitive to electron acceleration, small change in magnetic field leads to enhance electron energy gain significantly. Our results also show relatively smaller scattering of the electrons in the presence of axial magnetic field.

Radiation field angled horn antenna with a piezoceramic transducer with radial polarization

Radiation field angled horn antenna with a piezoceramic transducer with radial polarization

Theoretical investigation of vortex Gaussian beams focusing along the axis of the crystal

In this paper we investigate analytically and numerically sharp focusing of uniformly polarized laser Gaussian beams with a vortex phase along the axis of an anisotropic crystal. Two models are used for the analysis: geometrical optics, implemented in the software product ZEMAX, and wave optics based on the expansion in plane waves. An analytical expression is obtained in the frame of nonparaxial wave optics for a complex amplitude in focusing a vortex Gaussian beam in an anisotropic medium. It is shown that when focusing is weak ordinary and extraordinary beams are mixed and the beam formed has a mixed "spiral" type of polarization. In case of sharp focusing two focuses corresponding to the ordinary and extraordinary beams are formed along the crystal axis. If a first-order vortex phase is present in an incident beam with circular polarization cylindrical vector distributions with azimuthal polarization for the ordinary beam and those with radial polarization for the extraordinary beam occur in these focuses. Analytical calculations are illustrated by the results of numerical simulation. Both the intensity distribution for components of the generated laser fields and their polarization states are shown in detail. The studies completed are useful for the development of devices that perform polarization conversion.

Enhanced Far-Field Focusing by Plasmonic Lens Under Radially Polarized Beam Illumination

A plasmonic lens with coupling annular grooves is proposed to achieve enhanced far-field focusing performance. Based on the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, we demonstrate that a focal beam could be obtained under a radially polarized light illumination. The obtained focal length and working distance range from 3.1 to 3.6 mu m and 1.7 to 2.1 mu m, respectively. The full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the focal spot is about 0.8 lambda (i) and the overall field enhancement factor is improved to be similar to 3.9.

Multiexposure laser interference lithography

Nanopatterns resulting from two-beam interference in single, double, and multiexposures were simulated. Several patterns were experimentally fabricated to compare with the simulated patterns, allowing judgment of the quality of the simulation tool. Experimental and simulation results were consistent for single and double exposures. Photoresist nanofibers attached and detached from the substrate were fabricated with few changes in the development process. Results show that by increasing the number of exposures, a wide variety of patterns with very fine structures and sophisticated geometries can be generated. Fresnel-lens type structures are formed when the number of exposures is increased. These Fresnel-like patterns might have potential use in obtaining radial and azimuthal polarizations and optical vortices in addition to areas such as security patterns and diffractive optical elements.

Relativistic electron motion in cylindrical waveguide with strong guiding magnetic field and high power microwave

In O-type high power microwave (HPM) devices, the annular relativistic electron beam is constrained by a strong guiding magnetic field and propagates through an interaction region to generate HPM. Some papers believe that the E × B drift of electrons may lead to beam breakup. This paper simplifies the interaction region with a smooth cylindrical waveguide to research the radial motion of electrons under conditions of strong guiding magnetic field and TM01 mode HPM. The single-particle trajectory shows that the radial electron motion presents the characteristic of radial guiding-center drift carrying cyclotron motion. The radial guiding-center drift is spatially periodic and is dominated by the polarization drift, not the E × B drift. Furthermore, the self fields of the beam space charge can provide a radial force which may pull electrons outward to some extent but will not affect the radial polarization drift. Despite the radial drift, the strong guiding magnetic field limits the drift amplitude to a small value and prevents beam breakup from happening due to this cause.

The 1.3mm Full-Stokes Polarization System at CARMA

The CARMA 1.3[Formula: see text]mm polarization system consists of dual-polarization receivers that are sensitive to right- (R) and left-circular (L) polarization, and a spectral-line correlator that measures all four cross polarizations ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) on each of the 105 baselines connecting the 15 telescopes. Each receiver comprises a single feed horn, a waveguide circular polarizer, an orthomode transducer (OMT), two heterodyne mixers, and two low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), all mounted in a cryogenically cooled dewar. Here we review the basics of polarization observations, describe the construction and performance of key receiver components (circular polarizer, OMT, and mixers — but not the correlator), and discuss in detail the calibration of the system, particularly the calibration of the R–L phase offsets and the polarization leakage corrections. The absolute accuracy of polarization position angle measurements was checked by mapping the radial polarization pattern across the disk of Mars. Transferring the Mars calibration to the well-known polarization calibrator 3C286, we find a polarization position angle of [Formula: see text] for 3C286 at 225[Formula: see text]GHz, consistent with other observations at millimeter wavelengths. Finally, we consider what limitations in accuracy are expected due to the signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range, and primary beam polarization.

Third-rank piezoelectricity in isotropic chiral solids

The highest symmetry in which piezoelectricity was thought to occur is cubic. Here, it is shown that third rank piezoelectricity can occur in isotropic chiral solids. Polarization is coupled via an isotropic third rank tensor to the antisymmetric part of the stress. Asymmetric stress can occur if balanced by moments distributed over area or volume. Such moments occur in heterogeneous solids, in which there exists a characteristic length associated with the microstructure: the Cosserat or micropolar solids. Effects associated with nonzero structure size are predicted, including radial polarization in response to torsion. These effects do not occur in gradient type flexoelectric materials; they are governed by a different tensorial rank and symmetry.

Tailored optical vector fields for ultrashort-pulse laser induced complex surface plasmon structuring

Precise tailoring of optical vector beams is demonstrated, shaping their focal electric fields and used to create complex laser micro-patterning on a metal surface. A Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) and a micro-structured S-waveplate were integrated with a picosecond laser system and employed to structure the vector fields into radial and azimuthal polarizations with and without a vortex phase wavefront as well as superposition states. Imprinting Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS) elucidates the detailed vector fields around the focal region. In addition to clear azimuthal and radial plasmon surface structures, unique, variable logarithmic spiral micro-structures with a pitch Λ ∼1μm, not observed previously, were imprinted on the surface, confirming unambiguously the complex 2D focal electric fields. We show clearly also how the Orbital Angular Momentum(OAM) associated with a helical wavefront induces rotation of vector fields along the optic axis of a focusing lens and confirmed by the observed surface micro-structures.

Transformation of vector beams with radial and azimuthal polarizations in biaxial crystals.

We present both experimentally and theoretically the transformation of radially and azimuthally polarized vector beams when they propagate through a biaxial crystal and are transformed by the conical refraction phenomenon. We show that, at the focal plane, the transverse pattern is formed by a ring-like light structure with an azimuthal node, this node being found at diametrically opposite points of the ring for radial/azimuthal polarizations. We also prove that the state of polarization of the transformed beams is conical refraction-like, i.e., that every two diametrically opposite points of the light ring are linearly orthogonally polarized.

Correlation singularities in a partially coherent electromagnetic beam with initially radial polarization.

We have investigated the correlation singularities, coherence vortices of two-point correlation function in a partially coherent vector beam with initially radial polarization, i.e., partially coherent radially polarized (PCRP) beam. It is found that these singularities generally occur during free space propagation. Analytical formulae for characterizing the dynamics of the correlation singularities on propagation are derived. The influence of the spatial coherence length of the beam on the evolution properties of the correlation singularities and the conditions for creation and annihilation of the correlation singularities during propagation have been studied in detail based on the derived formulae. Some interesting results are illustrated. These correlation singularities have implication for interference experiments with a PCRP beam.

4 × 20 Gbit/s mode division multiplexing over free space using vector modes and a q-plate mode (de)multiplexer.

Vector modes are spatial modes that have spatially inhomogeneous states of polarization, such as, radial and azimuthal polarization. In this work, the spatially inhomogeneous states of polarization of vector modes are used to increase the transmission data rate of free-space optical communication via mode division multiplexing. A mode (de)multiplexer for vector modes based on a liquid crystal q-plate is introduced. As a proof of principle, four vector modes each carrying a 20-Gbit/s quadrature phase shift keying signal (aggregate 80 Gbit/s) on a single wavelength channel (λ∼1550 nm) were transmitted ∼1 m over the lab table with <-16.4 dB mode crosstalk. Bit error rates for all vector modes were measured at the 7% forward error correction threshold with power penalties <3.41 dB.

Formation of second order optical vortices with a radial polarization converter using the double-pass technique

In this paper we both theoretically and experimentally demonstrate possibility to form double charged optical vortex using only one S-waveplate in double-pass geometry. The experimental results are presented as well as analysis of underlying theoretical principles.

Singularities in cylindrical vector beams

Cylindrical vector beams with azimuthal and radial polarization distributions are studied for singularities. It is shown experimentally that these beams have screw dislocation as well as edge dislocation at the same time. The relation between phase and polarization of light beam is the key to understand this fact. We envisage that this has potential application in phase synthesis using polarization engineering. Further, the polarization singularities in these inhomogeneously polarized beams are examined by measuring Stokes parameters across the cross-section of these beams.

Models for designing radially polarized multilayer piezoelectric/elastic composite cylindrical transducers

The models for designing multilayer piezoelectric/elastic composite cylindrical transducers with two kinds of radial polarization directions are extended based on the typical sandwiched piezoelectric/elastic transducer, and their dynamic characteristics are performed. Based on the plane stress assumption, dynamic analytical solutions of the transducers subjected to an external harmonic voltage are derived, and the electric admittances are obtained. The effects of polarization directions, the inner radius of the transducers, the distance between two adjacent piezoelectric layers, the number of piezoelectric layers, and piezoelectric material types on the dynamic characteristics of the transducers are discussed. For some special cases, comparisons with other related investigations are also given, and good agreements are found. The present investigation provides a comprehensive understanding of multilayer piezoelectric/elastic composite cylindrical transducers, which have potential applications in the field of ultrasonic and underwater sound.

Polarity transitions during neurogenesis and germinal zone exit in the developing central nervous system

During neural development, billions of neurons differentiate, polarize, migrate and form synapses in a precisely choreographed sequence. These precise developmental events are accompanied by discreet transitions in cellular polarity. While radial glial neural stem cells are highly polarized, transiently amplifying neural progenitors are less polarized after delaminating from their parental stem cell. Moreover, preceding their radial migration to a final laminar position neural progenitors re-adopt a polarized morphology before they embarking on their journey along a glial guide to the destination where they will fully mature. In this review, we will compare and contrast the key polarity transitions of cells derived from a neuroepithelium to the well-characterized polarity transitions that occur in true epithelia. We will highlight recent advances in the field that shows that neuronal progenitor delamination from germinal zone (GZ) niche shares similarities to an epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Moreover, studies in the cerebellum suggest the acquisition of radial migration and polarity in transiently amplifying neural progenitors share similarities to mesenchymal-epithelial transitions. Where applicable, we will compare and contrast the precise molecular mechanisms used by epithelial cells and neuronal progenitors to control plasticity in cell polarity during their distinct developmental programs.