Propagation and parametric characterization of the polarization structure of paraxial radially and azimuthally polarized beams

R. Martínez-Herrero, P.M. Mejías
Optics & Laser Technology, Volume 44, Issue 2, March 2012

Abstract

Analytical expressions are provided for describing the free-space evolution of the polarization structure of paraxial beams whose electric-field vector at some transverse plane exhibits either a radially or an azimuthally polarized behavior. At each transverse plane, the polarization distribution across the beam profile is characterized by means of two sets of parameters, namely, the so-called (local) radial Stokes representation, and the (overall) percentage of the irradiance associated with the radial and azimuthal field components. The propagation laws for these sets of parameters are also shown. As an illustrative example, a radially polarized beam is analized whose wavefront contains a spiral phase factor.

Go to Journal

Check Also

Germano-Silicate Resonators for Ultralow-Loss Visible Integrated Photonics

Significance  Reference Chen HJ, Colburn K, Liu P, Yan H, Hou H, Ge J, Liu …