Open AccessFull Poincaré beams II: partial polarization
Author(s) -
Amber M. Beckley,
Thomas G. Brown,
Miguel A. Alonso
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.20.009357
Subject(s) - polarization (electrochemistry) , physics , optics , paraxial approximation , transverse plane , coherence (philosophical gambling strategy) , stokes parameters , circular polarization , cardinal point , beam (structure) , quantum mechanics , scattering , chemistry , structural engineering , engineering , microstrip
Optical fields whose coherence and/or polarization properties appear to change under propagation have intrigued researchers for many years. We describe and experimentally demonstrate a class of optical fields whose polarization content at any transverse plane spans a disk-like region within the Poincaré sphere. When examined through a paraxial focal region, the disk rotates under propagation, spanning all possible states of polarization. We map the change in Stokes parameters through focus for each case, comparing experiment with the theoretical predictions.