Editorial

4 pages, 192 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue on Polarized Light and Optical Systems

by Nikolai I. Petrov and Alexey P. Porfirev

Photonics 2022, 9(8), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9080570 - 12 Aug 2022

Viewed by 1387

Polarization is often measured to study the interaction of light and matter, so the description of the polarization of light beams is of both practical and fundamental interest [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

13 pages, 7546 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Refractive Bi-Conic Axicon (Volcone) for Polarization Conversion of Monochromatic Radiation

by Sergey A. Degtyarev, Sergey V. Karpeev, Nikolay A. Ivliev, Yuriy S. Strelkov, Vladimir V. Podlipnov and Svetlana N. Khonina

Photonics 2022, 9(6), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9060421 - 16 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1736

Abstract

A new element is proposed for producing an azimuthally polarized beam with a vortex phase dependence. The element is formed by two conical surfaces in such a way that the optical element resembles a mountain with a crater on top, like a volcano [...] Read more.

A new element is proposed for producing an azimuthally polarized beam with a vortex phase dependence. The element is formed by two conical surfaces in such a way that the optical element resembles a mountain with a crater on top, like a volcano (volcanic cone is volcone). The element in the form of a refractive bi-conic axicon is fabricated by diamond turning, in which an internal conical cavity is made. Polarization conversion in this optical element occurs on the inner surface due to the refraction of beams at the Brewster angle. The outer surface is used to collimate the converted beam, which significantly distinguishes the proposed element from previously proposed approaches. The paper describes a method for calculating the path of beams through a refractive bi-conic axicon, taking into account phase and polarization conversions. In the case of incident circularly polarized radiation, azimuthally polarized ring-shape beam radiation is generated at the output. The proposed element is experimentally made of polymethyl methacrylate on a CNC milling machine. The experiment demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed element. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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9 pages, 3128 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Photon Spectra of a Bragg Microresonator with Bigyrotropic Filling

by Svetlana V. Eliseeva, Irina V. Fedorova and Dmitry I. Sementsov

Photonics 2022, 9(6), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9060391 - 31 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1145

Abstract

In this article, we have obtained the transmission spectra of a microresonator structure with Bragg mirrors, the working cavity of which is filled with a magnetically active finely layered ferrite-semiconductor structure with material parameters controlled by an external magnetic field. It is shown [...] Read more.

In this article, we have obtained the transmission spectra of a microresonator structure with Bragg mirrors, the working cavity of which is filled with a magnetically active finely layered ferrite-semiconductor structure with material parameters controlled by an external magnetic field. It is shown that a change in the external field and the size of the cavity (filling layer thickness) provokes a controlled rearrangement of the transmission spectrum of TM and TE waves. The polarization characteristics of the microcavity, their dependence on the external field, and the ratio of the thicknesses of the layers that make up the period of the ferrite-semiconductor structure are investigated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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14 pages, 3153 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Topological Charge of Light Fields with a Polarization Singularity

by Victor V. Kotlyar, Alexey A. Kovalev and Vladislav D. Zaitsev

Photonics 2022, 9(5), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9050298 - 27 Apr 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1708

Abstract

We have studied diverse vector and hybrid light fields, including those with multiple polarization singularities, and have derived relationships for polarization singularity indices based on the familiar Berry formula, which is normally utilized to find the topological charge of a scalar vortex light [...] Read more.

We have studied diverse vector and hybrid light fields, including those with multiple polarization singularities, and have derived relationships for polarization singularity indices based on the familiar Berry formula, which is normally utilized to find the topological charge of a scalar vortex light field. The fields with pure polar-angle-dependent polarization in the beam cross-section are shown to feature either polarization singularity lines outgoing from the center or a single polarization singularity point at the beam center. The fields with pure radial-variable-dependent polarization are shown to have no polarization singularities and zero polarization index. The vector fields with both polar-angle- and radial-variable-dependent polarization are shown to have multiple polarization singularity points that are scattered across the cross-section. A vector field with higher-order radial polarization and a real parameter was also studied and was shown to feature either several polarization singularity lines outgoing from the center or a central singular point, depending on the parameter value. Notably, at different parameter values, the polarization singularity index of such a field can take half-integer, integer, or zero values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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10 pages, 1321 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Physical Significance of the Determinant of a Mueller Matrix

by José J. Gil, Razvigor Ossikovski and Ignacio San José

Photonics 2022, 9(4), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9040246 - 08 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1558

Abstract

The determinant of a Mueller matrix M plays an important role in both polarization algebra and the interpretation of polarimetric measurements. While certain physical quantities encoded in M admit a direct interpretation, the understanding of the physical and geometric significance of the determinant [...] Read more.

The determinant of a Mueller matrix M plays an important role in both polarization algebra and the interpretation of polarimetric measurements. While certain physical quantities encoded in M admit a direct interpretation, the understanding of the physical and geometric significance of the determinant of M (

\det M

) requires a specific analysis, performed in this work by using the normal form of M, as well as the indices of polarimetric purity (IPP) of the canonical depolarizer associated with M. We derive an expression for

\det M

in terms of the diattenuation, polarizance and a parameter proportional to the volume of the intrinsic ellipsoid of M. We likewise establish a relation existing between the determinant of M and the rank of the covariance matrix H associated with M, and determine the lower and upper bounds of

\det M

for the two types of Mueller matrices by taking advantage of their geometric representation in the IPP space. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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12 pages, 3882 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Circular Polarization near the Tight Focus of Linearly Polarized Light

by Sergey S. Stafeev, Anton G. Nalimov, Alexey A. Kovalev, Vladislav D. Zaitsev and Victor V. Kotlyar

Photonics 2022, 9(3), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9030196 - 17 Mar 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2433

Abstract

We have considered the tight focusing of light with linear polarization. Using the Richards–Wolf formalism, it is shown that before and after the focal plane, there are regions in which the polarization is circular (elliptical). When passing through the focal plane, the direction [...] Read more.

We have considered the tight focusing of light with linear polarization. Using the Richards–Wolf formalism, it is shown that before and after the focal plane, there are regions in which the polarization is circular (elliptical). When passing through the focal plane, the direction of rotation of the polarization vector is reversed. If before the focus in a certain area there was a left circular polarization, then directly in the focus in this area there will be a linear polarization, and after the focus in a similar area there will be a right circular polarization. This effect allows linearly polarized light to be used to rotate dielectric microparticles with little absorption around their center of mass. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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12 pages, 3906 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combined Jones–Stokes Polarimetry and Its Decomposition into Associated Anisotropic Characteristics of Spatial Light Modulator

by Vipin Tiwari and Nandan S. Bisht

Photonics 2022, 9(3), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9030195 - 17 Mar 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2112

Abstract

Jones–Stokes polarimetry is a robust in vitro polarimetric technique that can be used to investigate the anisotropic properties of a birefringent medium. The study of spatially resolved Jones matrix components of an object is a heuristic approach to extract its phase and polarization [...] Read more.

Jones–Stokes polarimetry is a robust in vitro polarimetric technique that can be used to investigate the anisotropic properties of a birefringent medium. The study of spatially resolved Jones matrix components of an object is a heuristic approach to extract its phase and polarization information. However, direct interpretation of Jones matrix elements and their decomposition into associated anisotropic properties of a sample is still a challenging research problem that needs to be investigated. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate combined Jones–Stokes polarimetry to investigate the amplitude, phase, and polarization modulation characteristics of a twisted nematic liquid crystal spatial light modulator (TNLC-SLM). The anisotropic response of the SLM is calibrated for its entire grayscale range. We determine the inevitable anisotropic properties viz., diattenuation, retardance, isotropic absorption, birefringence, and dichroism, which are retrieved from the measured Jones matrices of the SLM using Jones polar decomposition and a novel algebraic approach for Jones matrix decomposition. The results of this study provide a complete polarimetric calibration of the SLM within the framework of its anisotropic characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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16 pages, 1980 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Depolarization of Vector Light Beams on Propagation in Free Space

by Nikolai Petrov

Photonics 2022, 9(3), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9030162 - 06 Mar 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2170

Abstract

Nonparaxial propagation of the vector vortex light beams in free space was investigated theoretically. Propagation-induced polarization changes in vector light beams with different spatial intensity distributions were analyzed. It is shown that the hybrid vector Bessel modes with polarization-OAM (orbital angular momentum) entanglement [...] Read more.

Nonparaxial propagation of the vector vortex light beams in free space was investigated theoretically. Propagation-induced polarization changes in vector light beams with different spatial intensity distributions were analyzed. It is shown that the hybrid vector Bessel modes with polarization-OAM (orbital angular momentum) entanglement are the exact solutions of the vector Helmholtz equation. Decomposition of arbitrary vector beams in the initial plane z = 0 into these polarization-invariant beams with phase and polarization singularities was used to analyze the evolution of the polarization of light within the framework of the 2 × 2 coherency matrix formalism. It is shown that the 2D degree of polarization decreases with distance if the incident vector beam is not the modal solution. The close relationship of the degree of polarization with the quantum-mechanical purity parameter is emphasized. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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18 pages, 4079 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Scattering of Partially Coherent Vector Beams by a Deterministic Medium Having Parity-Time Symmetry

by Xuan Zhang, Yahong Chen, Fei Wang and Yangjian Cai

Photonics 2022, 9(3), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9030140 - 27 Feb 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2007

Abstract

We study the scattering properties of the partially coherent vector beams with the deterministic media having the classic symmetric and parity-time (PT) symmetric scattering potential functions. The closed-form expressions for the intensity and polarization matrix of the far-zone scattered field are obtained, under [...] Read more.

We study the scattering properties of the partially coherent vector beams with the deterministic media having the classic symmetric and parity-time (PT) symmetric scattering potential functions. The closed-form expressions for the intensity and polarization matrix of the far-zone scattered field are obtained, under first-order Born approximation, when the partially coherent vector beams are taken to be radially polarized and the deterministic media are assumed as the four-point scatterers. We demonstrate both analytically and numerically that the far-zone scattered field becomes noncentrosymmetric and the directionality appears in the scattering pattern when the scattering potential function is switched from classic symmetry to PT symmetry. We show the effect of spatial coherence of the incident partially coherent vector beam on the directionality in scattering. We find that by turning the symmetry property of the spatial coherence function of the incident beam, i.e., into PT symmetry, the directionality in the far-zone scattering can be suppressed or enhanced, depending on the joint effect from the symmetry of the scattering potential and the symmetry of the spatial coherence. Our findings may be useful in the application of dynamic control of the directionality in light scattering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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21 pages, 80963 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tailoring of Inverse Energy Flow Profiles with Vector Lissajous Beams

by Svetlana N. Khonina, Alexey P. Porfirev, Andrey V. Ustinov, Mikhail S. Kirilenko and Nikolay L. Kazanskiy

Photonics 2022, 9(2), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9020121 - 20 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1790

Abstract

In recent years, structured laser beams for shaping inverse energy flow regions: regions with a direction of energy flow opposite to the propagation direction of a laser beam, have been actively studied. Unfortunately, many structured laser beams generate inverse energy flow regions with [...] Read more.

In recent years, structured laser beams for shaping inverse energy flow regions: regions with a direction of energy flow opposite to the propagation direction of a laser beam, have been actively studied. Unfortunately, many structured laser beams generate inverse energy flow regions with dimensions of the order of the wavelength. Moreover, there are significant limitations to the location of these regions. Here, we investigate the possibility of controlling inverse energy flow distributions by using the generalization of well-known cylindrical vector beams with special polarization symmetry—vector Lissajous beams (VLBs)—defined by two polarization orders (p, q). We derive the conditions for the indices (p, q) in order, not only to shape separate isolated regions with a reverse energy flow, but also regions that are infinitely extended along a certain direction in the focal plane. In addition, we show that the maximum intensity curves of the studied VLBs are useful for predicting the properties of focused beams. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

12 pages, 2176 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Infrared DoLP Model Considering the Radiation Coupling Effect

by Dezhi Su, Liang Liu, Lingshun Liu, Ruilong Ming, Shiyong Wu and Jilei Zhang

Photonics 2021, 8(12), 546; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8120546 - 01 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2003

Abstract

The polarization degree of objects in the marine background are affected by infrared radiation from sea surface. Taking into account the radiation coupling effect (RCE), a degree of linear polarization (DoLP) model is deduced. The DoLP of painted aluminum plates at different observation [...] Read more.

The polarization degree of objects in the marine background are affected by infrared radiation from sea surface. Taking into account the radiation coupling effect (RCE), a degree of linear polarization (DoLP) model is deduced. The DoLP of painted aluminum plates at different observation angles are simulated. The simulation results show the trend of the DoLP of the object decreases first and then increases as the observation angle

θ_{O}

, with the minimum value at

θ_{O} = 53^{\circ}

. Nevertheless, we get a monotonically increasing trend and the minimum value is at

θ_{O} = 0^{\circ}

without considering RCE. The experimental results accord closely with those of the simulation with RCE. This conclusion is useful for the polarization detection and identification of infrared objects in the marine background. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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15 pages, 8658 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mueller Matrix Polarimetry with Invariant Polarization Pattern Beams

by Juan Carlos González de Sande, Gemma Piquero, Juan Carlos Suárez-Bermejo and Massimo Santarsiero

Photonics 2021, 8(11), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8110491 - 02 Nov 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1663

Abstract

A wide class of nonuniformly totally polarized beams that preserve their transverse polarization pattern during paraxial propagation was studied. Beams of this type are of interest, in particular, in polarimetric techniques that use a single input beam for the determination of the Mueller [...] Read more.

A wide class of nonuniformly totally polarized beams that preserve their transverse polarization pattern during paraxial propagation was studied. Beams of this type are of interest, in particular, in polarimetric techniques that use a single input beam for the determination of the Mueller matrix of a homogeneous sample. In these cases, in fact, it is possible to test the sample response to several polarization states at once. The propagation invariance of the transverse polarization pattern is an interesting feature for beams used in these techniques, because the polarization state of the output beam can be detected at any transverse plane after the sample, without the use of any imaging/magnifying optical system. Furthermore, exploiting the great variety of the beams of this class, the ones that better fit specific experimental constrains can be chosen. In particular, the class also includes beams that present all possible polarization states across their transverse section (the full Poincaré beams (FPB)). The use of the latter has recently been proposed to increase the accuracy of the recovered Mueller matrix elements. Examples of FPBs with propagation-invariant polarization profiles and its use in polarimetry are discussed in detail. The requirement of invariance of the polarization pattern can be limited to the propagation in the far field. In such a case, less restrictive conditions are derived, and a wider class of beams is found. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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11 pages, 5053 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Focusing a Vortex Laser Beam with Polarization Conversion

by Victor V. Kotlyar, Anton G. Nalimov and Sergey S. Stafeev

Photonics 2021, 8(11), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8110480 - 28 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1616

Abstract

We show that when strongly focusing a linearly polarized optical vortex with the topological charge 2 (or −2) in the near-focus region, there occurs not only a reverse energy flow (where the projection of the Poynting vector is negative) but the right- (or [...] Read more.

We show that when strongly focusing a linearly polarized optical vortex with the topological charge 2 (or −2) in the near-focus region, there occurs not only a reverse energy flow (where the projection of the Poynting vector is negative) but the right- (or left-) handed circular polarization of light as well. Notably, thanks to spin–orbital conversion, the on-axis polarization vector handedness is the same as that of the transverse energy flow, i.e., anticlockwise (clockwise). An absorbing spherical microparticle centered on the optical axis placed in the focus may be expected to rotate anticlockwise (clockwise) around its axis and its center of masses. We also show that in the case of sharp focusing of light with linear polarization (without an optical vortex) before and after focus, the light has an even number of local regions with left- and right-handed circular (elliptical) polarizations. Theoretical predictions are corroborated by the numerical simulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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7 pages, 1712 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Highly Efficient Double-Layer Diffraction Microstructures Based on New Plastics and Molded Glasses

by Grigoriy I. Greisukh, Viktor A. Danilov, Evgeniy G. Ezhov, Sergey V. Kazin and Boris A. Usievich

Photonics 2021, 8(8), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8080327 - 11 Aug 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1547

Abstract

Within the framework of rigorous diffraction theory, the maximum possible incidence angles of radiation on two-layer sawtooth relief-phase microstructures in the visible (0.4 ≤ λ ≤ 0.7 μm) spectral range are compared. Optical materials for the layers of these microstructures are selected from [...] Read more.

Within the framework of rigorous diffraction theory, the maximum possible incidence angles of radiation on two-layer sawtooth relief-phase microstructures in the visible (0.4 ≤ λ ≤ 0.7 μm) spectral range are compared. Optical materials for the layers of these microstructures are selected from a database of 47 plastics and 165 molded glasses. It is shown that when the ratio of the spatial period of the microstructure to the effective depth of the relief is greater than 20, the achievable angles within which the diffraction efficiency exceeds 0.95 lie in a wide range from 18.5° to 40.5° for single-relief structures and 7.5° to 22.3° for structures with two internal reliefs. The best results for purely plastic microstructures are obtained when the plastic CMT and the indium tin oxide nanocomposite in polymethylmethacrylate are used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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14 pages, 4959 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Geometric Interpretation and General Classification of Three-Dimensional Polarization States through the Intrinsic Stokes Parameters

by José J. Gil

Photonics 2021, 8(8), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8080315 - 04 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2012

Abstract

In contrast with what happens for two-dimensional polarization states, defined as those whose electric field fluctuates in a fixed plane, which can readily be represented by means of the Poincaré sphere, the complete description of general three-dimensional polarization states involves nine measurable parameters, [...] Read more.

In contrast with what happens for two-dimensional polarization states, defined as those whose electric field fluctuates in a fixed plane, which can readily be represented by means of the Poincaré sphere, the complete description of general three-dimensional polarization states involves nine measurable parameters, called the generalized Stokes parameters, so that the generalized Poincaré object takes the complicated form of an eight-dimensional quadric hypersurface. In this work, the geometric representation of general polarization states, described by means of a simple polarization object constituted by the combination of an ellipsoid and a vector, is interpreted in terms of the intrinsic Stokes parameters, which allows for a complete and systematic classification of polarization states in terms of meaningful rotationally invariant descriptors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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17 pages, 8859 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Formation of Inverse Energy Flux in the Case of Diffraction of Linearly Polarized Radiation by Conventional and Generalized Spiral Phase Plates

by Andrey V. Ustinov, Svetlana N. Khonina and Alexey P. Porfirev

Photonics 2021, 8(7), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8070283 - 16 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1810

Abstract

Recently, there has been increased interest in the shaping of light fields with an inverse energy flux to guide optically trapped nano- and microparticles towards a radiation source. To generate inverse energy flux, non-uniformly polarized laser beams, especially higher-order cylindrical vector beams, are [...] Read more.

Recently, there has been increased interest in the shaping of light fields with an inverse energy flux to guide optically trapped nano- and microparticles towards a radiation source. To generate inverse energy flux, non-uniformly polarized laser beams, especially higher-order cylindrical vector beams, are widely used. Here, we demonstrate the use of conventional and so-called generalized spiral phase plates for the formation of light fields with an inverse energy flux when they are illuminated with linearly polarized radiation. We present an analytical and numerical study of the longitudinal and transverse components of the Poynting vector. The conditions for maximizing the negative value of the real part of the longitudinal component of the Poynting vector are obtained. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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Graphical abstract

14 pages, 3602 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Sharp Focusing of a Hybrid Vector Beam with a Polarization Singularity

by Victor V. Kotlyar, Sergey S. Stafeev and Anton G. Nalimov

Photonics 2021, 8(6), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8060227 - 18 Jun 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1940

Abstract

The key result of this work is the use of the global characteristics of the polarization singularities of the entire beam as a whole, rather than the analysis of local polarization, Stokes and Poincare–Hopf indices. We extend Berry’s concept of the topological charge [...] Read more.

The key result of this work is the use of the global characteristics of the polarization singularities of the entire beam as a whole, rather than the analysis of local polarization, Stokes and Poincare–Hopf indices. We extend Berry’s concept of the topological charge of scalar beams to hybrid vector beams. We discuss tightly focusing a new type of nth-order hybrid vector light field comprising n C-lines (circular polarization lines). Using a complex Stokes field, it is shown that the field polarization singularity index equals n/2 and does not preserve in the focal plane. The intensity and Stokes vector components in the focal plane are expressed analytically. It is theoretically and numerically demonstrated that at an even n, the intensity pattern at the focus is symmetrical, and instead of C-lines, there occur C-points around which axes of polarization ellipses are rotated. At n = 4, C-points characterized by singularity indices 1/2 and ‘lemon’-type topology are found at the focus. For an odd source field order n, the intensity pattern at the focus has no symmetry, and the field becomes purely vectorial (with no elliptical polarization) and has n V-points, around which linear polarization vectors are rotating. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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14 pages, 7823 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Generation of Multiple Vector Optical Bottle Beams

by Svetlana N. Khonina, Alexey P. Porfirev, Sergey G. Volotovskiy, Andrey V. Ustinov, Sergey A. Fomchenkov, Vladimir S. Pavelyev, Siegmund Schröter and Michael Duparré

Photonics 2021, 8(6), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8060218 - 12 Jun 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3295

Abstract

We propose binary diffractive optical elements, combining several axicons of different types (axis-symmetrical and spiral), for the generation of a 3D intensity distribution in the form of multiple vector optical ‘bottle’ beams, which can be tailored by a change in the polarization state [...] Read more.

We propose binary diffractive optical elements, combining several axicons of different types (axis-symmetrical and spiral), for the generation of a 3D intensity distribution in the form of multiple vector optical ‘bottle’ beams, which can be tailored by a change in the polarization state of the illumination radiation. The spatial dynamics of the obtained intensity distribution with different polarization states (circular and cylindrical of various orders) were investigated in paraxial mode numerically and experimentally. The designed binary axicons were manufactured using the e-beam lithography technique. The proposed combinations of optical elements can be used for the generation of vector optical traps in the field of laser trapping and manipulation, as well as for performing the spatial transformation of the polarization state of laser radiation, which is crucial in the field of laser-matter interaction for the generation of special morphologies of laser-induced periodic surface structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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15 pages, 14990 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Electromagnetic Hanbury Brown and Twiss Effect in Atmospheric Turbulence

by Olga Korotkova and Yalçın Ata

Photonics 2021, 8(6), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8060186 - 25 May 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1617

Abstract

The evolution of the 4 × 4 matrix with elements being the scintillation indices of the single-point Stokes parameters of a stationary electromagnetic beam-like optical field in classic, weak atmospheric turbulence is revealed. It is shown that depending on the choice of the [...] Read more.

The evolution of the 4 × 4 matrix with elements being the scintillation indices of the single-point Stokes parameters of a stationary electromagnetic beam-like optical field in classic, weak atmospheric turbulence is revealed. It is shown that depending on the choice of the source parameters, the source-induced changes in the matrix elements of the propagating beam and those produced by turbulence can be either range-separated or conjoined. For theoretical analysis, the unified theory of coherence and polarization is used together with the extended Huygens-Fresnel integral approach. The results can be of interest for building robust communication and sensing systems operating in the presence of atmospheric fluctuations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

35 pages, 785 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Table of Some Coherency Matrices, Coherency Matrix Factors, and Their Respective Mueller Matrices

by Colin J. R. Sheppard, Artemi Bendandi, Aymeric Le Gratiet and Alberto Diaspro

Photonics 2022, 9(6), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9060394 - 03 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1641

Abstract

Many books on polarization give tables of Mueller matrices. The coherency matrix has been found useful for interpretetion of the Mueller matrix. Here we give a table of Mueller matrices

M

, coherency matrices

C

, and coherency matrix factors

F

for different [...] Read more.

Many books on polarization give tables of Mueller matrices. The coherency matrix has been found useful for interpretetion of the Mueller matrix. Here we give a table of Mueller matrices

M

, coherency matrices

C

, and coherency matrix factors

F

for different polarization components and systems.

F

is not given for some complicated nondeterministic cases. In many cases, though,

F

has a very simple form. In particular, we give expressions for

F

for the general case of an homogeneous elliptic diattenuating retarder. Different coordinate systems for describing diattenuating retarders are compared, on a generalized retardation sphere, analogous to the Poincaré sphere. For the general homogeneous deterministic case, expressions for the Mueller matrix have particularly simple forms for Cartesian or stereographic coordinates in generalized retardation space. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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27 pages, 635 KiB

Open AccessReview

Characterization of the Mueller Matrix: Purity Space and Reflectance Imaging

by Colin J. R. Sheppard, Artemi Bendandi, Aymeric Le Gratiet and Alberto Diaspro

Photonics 2022, 9(2), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9020088 - 02 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2023

Abstract

Depolarization has been found to be a useful contrast mechanism in biological and medical imaging. The Mueller matrix can be used to describe polarization effects of a depolarizing material. An historical review of relevant polarization algebra, measures of depolarization, and purity spaces is [...] Read more.

Depolarization has been found to be a useful contrast mechanism in biological and medical imaging. The Mueller matrix can be used to describe polarization effects of a depolarizing material. An historical review of relevant polarization algebra, measures of depolarization, and purity spaces is presented, and the connections with the eigenvalues of the coherency matrix are discussed. The advantages of a barycentric eigenvalue space are outlined. A new parameter, the diattenuation-corrected purity, is introduced. We propose the use of a combination of the eigenvalues of coherency matrices associated with both a Mueller matrix and its canonical Mueller matrix to specify the depolarization condition. The relationships between the optical and polarimetric radar formalisms are reviewed. We show that use of a beam splitter in a reflectance polarization imaging system gives a Mueller matrix similar to the Sinclair–Mueller matrix for exact backscattering. The effect of the reflectance is canceled by the action of the beam splitter, so that the remaining features represent polarization effects in addition to the reflection process. For exact backscattering, the Mueller matrix is at most Rank 3, so only three independent complex-valued measurements are obtained, and there is insufficient information to extract polarization properties in the general case. However, if some prior information is known, a reconstruction of the sample properties is possible. Some experimental Mueller matrices are considered as examples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polarized Light and Optical Systems)

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