Geometric-Phase Waveplates for Free-Form Dark Hollow Beams

We demonstrate the possibility of creating optical beams with phase singularities engraved into exotic intensity landscapes imitating the shapes of a large variety of diverse plane curves. To achieve this aim, we have developed a method for directly encoding the geometric properties of a selected cu...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bruno Piccirillo, Ester Piedipalumbo, Enrico Santamato
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Physics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fphy.2020.00094/full
Description
Summary:We demonstrate the possibility of creating optical beams with phase singularities engraved into exotic intensity landscapes imitating the shapes of a large variety of diverse plane curves. To achieve this aim, we have developed a method for directly encoding the geometric properties of a selected curve into a single azimuthal phase factor without passing through indirect encryption methods involving lengthy numerical procedures. The outcome is utilized to mold the optic axis distribution of a liquid-crystal-based inhomogeneous waveplate. The latter is finally used to sculpt the wavefront of an input optical gaussian beam via the Pancharatnam-Berry phase.
ISSN:2296-424X