Vectorial vortex generation and phase singularities upon Brewster reflection

Barczyk R, Nechayev S, Butt MA, Leuchs G, Banzer P (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Physical Review A American Physical Society

Book Volume: 99

Article Number: ARTN 063820

Journal Issue: 6

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.99.063820

Open Access Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/1901.04397

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate the emergence of an azimuthally polarized vectorial vortex beam with a phase singularity upon Brewster reflection of focused circularly polarized light from a dielectric substrate. The effect originates from the polarizing properties of the Fresnel reflection coefficients described in Brewster's law. An astonishing consequence of this effect is that the reflected field's Cartesian components acquire local phase singularities at Brewster's angle. Our observations are crucial for polarization microscopy and open avenues for the generation of exotic states of light based on spin-to-orbit coupling, without the need for sophisticated optical elements.

Authors with CRIS profile

Gerhard Leuchs Lehrstuhl für Experimentalphysik (Optik) Peter Banzer Professur für Experimentalphysik

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Barczyk, R., Nechayev, S., Butt, M.A., Leuchs, G., & Banzer, P. (2019). Vectorial vortex generation and phase singularities upon Brewster reflection. Physical Review A, 99(6). https://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.99.063820

MLA:

Barczyk, Rend, et al. "Vectorial vortex generation and phase singularities upon Brewster reflection." Physical Review A 99.6 (2019).

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