+Cylindrical Polarization Beams
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsRobert R. Alfano, Xin Chen, Joohyun Koh, Ming-Jun Li, Daniel Aloysius Nolan, Henry Sztul
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Abstract
Generation of a cylindrically polarized light beam, and in particular, a hybrid-azimuthal-radial polarization beams, called HARP modes, generated from an input linearly polarized Gaussian beam using a spun optical waveguide device is taught. The HARP modes are comprised of hybrid-azimuthal polarization (HAP) and hybrid-radial polarization (HRP) superposition modes. These beams possess a non-zero local angular momentum density that is spatially varying and a zero total angular momentum.
Claims23
A spun optical fiber with a spatially-distributed, optical vortex mode having hybrid-azimuthal or hybrid-radial polarization that exits the fiber as a cylindrically polarized beam.
A method for generating a hybrid-azimuthal polarization mode or hybrid radial polarization mode comprising the steps of:
- a. generating a linearly polarized Gaussian beam as an input beam;
- and
- b. coupling said input beam through a spun fiber having a core, wherein the spun fiber is rotated at a rate greater than 10 turns per meter.
A mode converter for converting a linearly polarized Gaussian beam into a hybrid-azimuthal polarization beam or radial polarization beam, comprising a spun fiber waveguide having:
- a. an index distribution that allows the propagation of a linearly polarized input beam;
- b. a core that is cylindrical but with the core center slightly offset from the geometric center of the fiber;
- and
- c. wherein the spun fiber waveguide is rotated during the drawing process at a spin rate that is sufficient to cause coupling between the linearly polarized modes of the fiber.
A method for generating a azimuthal polarized mode, comprising the steps of:
- a. generating a linearly polarized Gaussian beam as an input beam;
- b. coupling said input beam through a spun fiber having a core, wherein the spun fiber is rotated at a rate sufficient to create a hybrid-azimuthal polarization mode;
- and
- c. passing said hybrid-azimuthal polarization mode through a quarter-wave plate.
A method for generating a radial polarized mode, comprising the steps of:
- a. generating a linearly polarized Gaussian beam as an input beam;
- b. coupling said input beam through a spun fiber having a core, wherein the spun fiber is rotated at a rate sufficient to create a hybrid-azimuthal polarization mode;
- c. passing said hybrid-azimuthal polarization mode through a quarter-wave plate to create an azimuthal polarization mode;
- and
- d. passing said azimuthal polarization mode through a half-wave plate to create the radial polarized mode.
A method for generating an azimuthal polarized mode, comprising the steps of:
- a. generating a linearly polarized Gaussian beam as an input beam;
- b. coupling said input beam through a spun fiber having a core, wherein the spun fiber is rotated at a rate sufficient to create a hybrid-radial polarization mode;
- and
- c. passing said hybrid-radial polarization mode through a quarter-wave plate to give an azimuthal polarization mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.