Open AccessPolarization evolution of radially polarized partially coherent vortex fields: role of Gouy phase of Laguerre–Gauss beams
Author(s) -
R. Martı́nez-Herrero,
Félix del Prado
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.23.005043
Subject(s) - physics , optics , polarization (electrochemistry) , paraxial approximation , optical vortex , vortex , transverse plane , radial polarization , electric field , light beam , azimuth , linear polarization , gauss , beam (structure) , elliptical polarization , laser beams , quantum mechanics , laser , laser beam quality , chemistry , structural engineering , thermodynamics , engineering
In the framework of the paraxial approximation, we derive the analytical expressions for describing the effect of the Gouy phase of Laguerre-Gauss beams on the polarization evolution of partially coherent vortex fields whose electric field vector at some transverse plane exhibits a radially polarized behavior. At each transverse plane, the polarization distribution across the beam profile is characterized by means of the percentage of irradiance associated with the radial or azimuthal components. The propagation laws for these percentages are also presented. As an illustrative example, we analyze a radially polarized partially coherent vortex beam.