Independent and simultaneous tailoring of amplitude, phase, and complete polarization of vector beams

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method for independently and simultaneously controlling the amplitude, phase, and polarization of vector beams using a spatial light modulator within a 4-f optical system, enabling advanced beam shaping capabilities.

Contribution

The work demonstrates complete and independent control over amplitude, phase, and polarization states of vector beams in a single setup, which was not previously achievable.

Findings

Achieved independent control of amplitude, phase, and polarization.

Constructed vector beams with four free parameters.

Enabled arbitrary polarization states on the Poincaré sphere.

Abstract

We present an approach that enables complete control over the amplitude, phase and arbitrary polarization state on the Poincar\'e sphere of an optical beam in a 4-f system with a spatial light modulator (SLM). The beams can be constructed from a coaxial superposition of x- and y-linearly polarized light, each carrying structured amplitude profile and phase distributions by using an amplitude-modulated mask imposed on the SLM. The amplitude, phase and polarization distribution of vector beams with four free parameters can be tailored independently and simultaneously by the SLM.