Vector Optical Beam with Controllable Variation of Polarization during Propagation in Free Space: A Review

The vector optical beam with longitudinally varying polarization during propagation in free space has attracted significant attention in recent years. Compared with traditional vector optical beams with inhomogeneous distribution of polarization in the transverse plane, manipulating the longitudinal...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inApplied sciences Vol. 11; no. 22; p. 10664
Main Authors Wang, Wen-Yue, Cheng, Tian-Yu, Bai, Zhen-Xu, Liu, Shuo, Lü, Jia-Qi
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.11.2021
Subjects
Amplitudes
Bessel beam
Customization
Flexibility
Laser machining
Methods
Micromanipulation
Poincaré sphere
Polarization
Propagation
structured light
vector optical beam
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The vector optical beam with longitudinally varying polarization during propagation in free space has attracted significant attention in recent years. Compared with traditional vector optical beams with inhomogeneous distribution of polarization in the transverse plane, manipulating the longitudinal distribution of polarization provides a new dimension for the expansion of the applications of vector optical beams in volume laser machining, longitudinal detection, and in vivo micromanipulation. Two theoretical strategies for achieving this unique optical beam are presented in the way of constructing the longitudinally varying phase difference and amplitude difference. Relevant generation methods are reviewed which can be divided into the modulation of complex amplitude in real space and the filtering of the spatial spectrum. In addition, current problems and prospects for vector optical beams with longitudinally varying polarization are discussed.
ISSN:2076-3417
2076-3417
DOI:10.3390/app112210664