Implementation of nearly arbitrary spatially-varying polarization transformations: a non-diffractive and non-interferometric approach using spatial light modulators

TL;DR

This paper introduces a fast, automated method using a liquid crystal spatial light modulator to perform arbitrary spatially-varying polarization transformations on light fields, useful in various optical applications.

Contribution

It demonstrates a novel, non-diffractive, non-interferometric approach for arbitrary polarization control across a light wavefront using LCOS-SLMs.

Findings

Successfully converts uniform polarization to arbitrary spatially varying polarization.

Transforms spatially varying polarization to uniform polarization.

Operates in a non-diffractive, non-interferometric manner.

Abstract

A fast and automated scheme for general polarization transformations holds great value in adaptive optics, quantum information, and virtually all applications involving light-matter and light-light interactions. We present an experiment that uses a liquid crystal on silicon spatial light modulator (LCOS-SLM) to perform polarization transformations on a light field. We experimentally demonstrate the point-by-point conversion of uniformly polarized light fields across the wave front to realize arbitrary, spatially varying polarization states. Additionally, we demonstrate that a light field with an arbitrary spatially varying polarization can be transformed to a spatially invariant (i.e., uniform) polarization.