Highly efficient generation of arbitrary vector beams with tunable polarization, phase, and amplitude

Sheng Liu, Shuxia Qi, Yi Zhang, Peng Li, Dongjing Wu, Lei Han, Jianlin Zhao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

170 Scopus citations

Abstract

We propose an efficient and robust method to generate tunable vector beams by employing a single phase-type spatial light modulator (SLM). With this method, a linearly polarized Gaussian beam can be converted into a vector beam with arbitrarily controllable polarization state, phase, and amplitude. The energy loss during the conversion is greatly reduced and depends mainly on the reflectivity of the SLM. We experimentally demonstrate that conversion efficiency of about 47% is achieved by using an SLM with reflectivity of 62%. Several typical vector beams, including cylindrical vector beams, vector beams on higher order Poincaré spheres, and arbitrary vector beams attached with phases and with tunable amplitude, are generated and verified experimentally. This method is also expected to create high-power vector beams and play important roles in optical fabrication and light trapping.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)228-233
Number of pages6
JournalPhotonics Research
Volume6
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2018

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Highly efficient generation of arbitrary vector beams with tunable polarization, phase, and amplitude'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this