Non-canonical propagation of high-order elliptic vortex-beams in a uniaxial crystal

TL;DR

This paper derives and analyzes the propagation of high-order elliptic vortex beams in uniaxial crystals, revealing complex topological and angular momentum behaviors due to non-canonical propagation effects.

Contribution

It introduces new solutions for nonparaxial and paraxial vortex beams in uniaxial crystals, highlighting their unique topological transformations and angular momentum dynamics.

Findings

Elliptic deformation causes topological reactions and field distortion.

Vortex topological charge can convert similarly to astigmatic lens effects.

Oscillations in spin angular momentum and vortex charge sign were observed.

Abstract

We have derived the corresponding equations and found their solutions both for nonparaxial and paraxial beams. The paraxial solutions we have presented in the form of the generalized Hermite-Gaussian beams propagating perpendicular to the optical axis of a uniaxial crystal. We have also constructed the generalized Laguerre-Gaussian beams at the z=0 plane and analyzed their evolution in a homogeneous isotropic medium. Comparing it with the evolution of the standard Laguerre-Gaussian beams with and in the crystal we have revealed that the additional elliptic deformation of the extraordinary beam results in topological reactions that essentially distorts field structure for the account of different rotation rates of the vortex row originated from the centered degenerate optical vortex and the conoscopic pattern. We have predicted conversion of the vortex topological charge at the beam axis similar to that in astigmatic lenses and analyzed the radical differences with this process. We have revealed the synchronic oscillations of the spin angular momentum and the sign of the vortex topological charge at the beam axis.