Generation and double-slit interference of higher-order vector beams

Abstract

A method for generating vector beams with higher-order states of polarization based on a setup with a one phase-only liquid crystal spatial light modulator is proposed. The polarization properties and double-slit interference of the higher-order vector beams were investigated in detail. The cross section intensity distributions were flower-like for higher-order vector beams when passing through a linear polarizer. Misplacements appeared in the double-slit interference fringes, which divided each fringe into several discrete parts, i.e., $2P-1$ for $P\ge 2$, and 3 for $P=1$, where $P$ is the polarization order number. When associated with optical petal orientations analysis of the beam spots behind a linear polarizer, the double-slit interference can be used to detect and analyze higher-order vector beams.

© 2013 Optical Society of America

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