Generation of multiple vector beams from a single digital hologram

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel method to generate multiple complex vector beams simultaneously using a single digital hologram, significantly advancing the flexibility and capability of beam generation techniques.

Contribution

The authors present a new technique leveraging superposition in optics to produce many vector beams at once with a single spatial light modulator, overcoming previous limitations.

Findings

Successfully generated twenty vector vortex beams simultaneously

Each beam had distinct polarization distributions and spatial shapes

Demonstrated the method's potential for complex beam generation

Abstract

Complex vector light fields, classically entangled in polarization and phase, have become ubiquitous in a wide variety of research fields. This has triggered the demonstration of a wide variety of generation techniques. Of particular relevance are those based on computer-controlled devices due to their great flexibility. More specifically, spatial light modulators have demonstrated that almost any vector beam, with various spatial profiles and polarization distributions can be generated. Crucially, none of these techniques has proven capable to generate multiple vector beams simultaneously. Here, we put forward a novel technique that exploits the superposition principle in optics to enable the simultaneous generation of many vector beams using a single digital hologram. As proof-of-principle, we demonstrated the simultaneous generation of twenty vector vortex beams with various polarization distributions and spatial shapes on a single SLM, each of which with their own spatial shape and polarization distribution.