Abstract
We demonstrate that an annulus of light whose polarization is linear at each point, but the plane of polarization gradually rotates by π radians can be used to generate Bessel-Poincare beams. In any transverse plane this beam exhibits concentric rings of polarization singularities in the form of L-lines, where the polarization is purely linear. Although the Llines are invisible in terms of light intensity variations, we present a simple way to visualize them as dark rings around a sharp peak of intensity in the beam center. To do this we use a segmented polarizer whose transmission axes are oriented differently in each segment. The radius of the first L-line is always smaller than the radius of the central disk of the zero-order Bessel beam that would be produced if the annulus were homogeneously polarized and had no phase circulation along it.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 12444-12453 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Optics Express |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 4 May 2015 |