# Spin-orbit interactions in optically active materials

## TL;DR

This paper explores how light polarization affects intensity distribution in anisotropic media with inhomogeneous rotation, revealing spin-orbit interactions that enable polarization-selective optical devices.

## Contribution

It demonstrates that in media with inhomogeneous circular birefringence, the geometric phase vanishes, and spin-orbit interactions cause opposite phase perceptions for circular polarizations.

## Key findings

- Geometric phase vanishes in inhomogeneous circular birefringence media
- Spin-orbit interaction causes reversed dynamic phase perception for polarizations
- Proposed polarization-selective lenses, waveguides, and beam deflectors

## Abstract

We investigate the inherent influence of light polarization on the intensity distribution in anisotropic media undergoing a local inhomogeneous rotation of the principal axes. Whereas in general such configuration implies a complicated interaction between geometric and dynamic phase, we show that, in a medium showing an inhomogeneous circular birefringence, the geometric phase vanishes. Due to the spin-orbit interaction, the two circular polarizations perceive reversed spatial distribution of the dynamic phase. Based upon this effect, polarization-selective lens, waveguides and beam deflectors are proposed.