Generation of arbitrary vector vortex beams on the hybridorder Poincaré sphere from cholesteric liquid crystals

【摘要】 In this Letter, by exploiting the spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion capability and the polarization selectivity characteristic of cholesteric liquid crystal planar optical elements, an approach of combing two cholesteric liquid crystal layers with opposite handedness and independent surface patterns is proposed and investigated for generating arbitrary vector vortex beams on the hybrid-order Poincaré sphere. Furthermore, the intensity profiles and polarization distributions of typical vector vortex beams are experimentally demonstrated and analyzed, which shows good agreement with the theoretical prediction. The approach also suggests its advantages of operating light in the polychromatic spectral region of Bragg reflection. Our method presents a simple and direct way of phase and polarization manipulation, which also provides promising opportunities for developing advanced applications in structured light, high-resolution imaging, and information processing.更多还原

【Abstract】 In this Letter, by exploiting the spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion capability and the polarization selectivity characteristic of cholesteric liquid crystal planar optical elements, an approach of combing two cholesteric liquid crystal layers with opposite handedness and independent surface patterns is proposed and investigated for generating arbitrary vector vortex beams on the hybrid-order Poincaré sphere. Furthermore, the intensity profiles and polarization distributions of typical vector vortex beams are experimentally demonstrated and analyzed, which shows good agreement with the theoretical prediction. The approach also suggests its advantages of operating light in the polychromatic spectral region of Bragg reflection. Our method presents a simple and direct way of phase and polarization manipulation, which also provides promising opportunities for developing advanced applications in structured light, high-resolution imaging, and information processing.更多还原