Influence of light propagation on its polarization in free space

TL;DR

This paper experimentally investigates how light's polarization is affected by its propagation in free space, demonstrating mutual influence and spin-orbit interaction effects with measurable anisotropy.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental evidence of spin-orbit interaction of photons in free space and quantifies the resulting geometrical anisotropy.

Findings

Measured geometrical circular amplitude anisotropy R = ±(0.60 ± 0.08) × 10^{-3}

Confirmed mutual influence of light polarization and propagation in free space

Demonstrated spin-orbit interaction effects in free-space light propagation

Abstract

We report the results of experimental observation of the influence of light propagation on its polarization under propagation in free space. These results experimentally prove the existence of the mutual influence of light polarization and propagation or spin-orbit interaction of a photon in free space. The value of the geometrical circular amplitude anisotropy $R$ appeared due to spin orbit interaction of a photon was measured and it turned out to be $R = \pm ({0.60 \pm 0.08}) \times {10^{- 3}}$.