Abstract

In this paper, a novel methodology for generating polarization singularity lattices using ramp phase structures in a polarization interferometer is presented. By applying differential tilts to distinct regions within the wavefront using a spatial light modulator, a phase-discontinuity line separating the two regions is formed. During propagation along this line, phase vortices are formed at discrete points about which the phase difference on either side of the ramp is $\pi$. This wavefront with phase vortices is superimposed with a plane wave in orthogonal polarization in a polarization interferometer, giving rise to polarization singularities. A common-path polarization interferometer is constructed using a spatial light modulator to reduce errors and complexity. Polarization fringes instead of intensity fringes obtained in this interferometer host polarization singularities. Lattices made up of a linear chain of polarization singularities—unusually of the same index polarity—are found here. Experimental results corroborate the theoretical predictions. This study shows that singularities can be produced with non-spiral phase plates by using linear phase ramps. The method discussed in this paper may find potential applications in optical trapping and particle steering.

© 2024 Optica Publishing Group

Singular skeleton of a Laguerre–Gaussian beam transformed by the double-phase-ramp converter

Anna Khoroshun, Aleksey Chernykh, Julia Kirichenko, Oleksandr Ryazantsev, and Aleksandr Bekshaev
Appl. Opt. 56(12) 3428-3434 (2017)

Chain of optical vortices synthesized by a Gaussian beam and the double-phase-ramp converter

Anna Khoroshun, Oleksii Chernykh, Halyna Tatarchenko, Shunichi Sato, Yuichi Kozawa, Agnieszka Popiołek-Masajada, Mateusz Szatkowski, and Weronika Lamperska
OSA Continuum 2(2) 320-331 (2019)

Non-interferometric technique to realize vector beams embedded with polarization singularities

Praveen Kumar, Sushanta Kumar Pal, Naveen K. Nishchal, and P. Senthilkumaran
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 37(6) 1043-1052 (2020)

Phase engineering in overlapping lattices of polarization singularities

Sushanta Kumar Pal, Manisha, and P. Senthilkumaran
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 40(7) 1830-1836 (2023)

Polarization singularity index determination by using a tilted lens

Baby Komal, S. Deepa, Sunil Kumar, and P. Senthilkumaran
Appl. Opt. 60(12) 3266-3271 (2021)