Cylindrical vector beam generation

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the generation and study of light beams with cylindrical symmetry in polarization, namely cylindrical vector beams (CVBs). Two generation schemes using custom designed optics are presented. The first custom designed optic is called the electro-optic radial polarization retarder (EO-RPR). It is fabricated using an electro-optic ceramic. In principle, the EO-RPR is a quarter-wave plate with radial fast axes capable of converting circularly polarized light beams into CVBs. Since the scheme utilizes the electro-optic effect, it is switchable unlike other previous schemes. The second optic is called the spirally varying retarder (SVR). It is basically a birefringent crystal with a spiral surface profile. This scheme had already been demonstrated prior to this work and the objective here is to further improve the quality of the CVB generated. This was achieved through the use of a different fabrication process (dry etching).