Stokes parameters and degree of polarization of nonparaxial stochastic electromagnetic beams

On the basis of angular spectrum representation and the stationary-phase method, far-field expressions for generalized Stokes parameters of nonparaxial stochastic electromagnetic beams are derived, which permits us to study the changes in the ordinary Stokes parameters upon propagation, and the changes in the spectral degree of polarization of partially polarized nonparaxial stochastic electromagnetic beams. It is shown that the spectral degree of polarization changes across the section on beam propagation.     

Electromagnetic fields that remain totally polarized under propagation

It is remarked that, in general, a totally polarized field becomes partially polarized at the output of an optical system, even though the field propagates through non-polarizing devices. Two kinds of fields are shown in the present work, which maintain the totally-polarized character at the output of any (deterministic) non-polarizing first-order optical system. This property is satisfied by uniformly totally polarized beams and also by those fields whose electromagnetic degree of coherence [T. Setälä, J. Tervo, A.T. Friberg, Opt. Lett. 29 (2004) 328.] equals 1.     

Propagation of a stochastic electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model beam through an optical system in turbulent atmosphere

A generalized diffraction integral formula for stochastic electromagnetic beams propagating through an optical system in turbulent atmosphere is derived with the help of tensor method. Some analyses are illustrated by a numerical example relating to changes in the average intensity and the degree of polarization of an electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model beam propagating through a double-lenses system. It is shown that the optical system has strong influence on the propagation properties of the beam. The method used in this paper can be widely applied to the propagation of astigmatic beams through an optical system in turbulent atmosphere.     

Propagation characteristics of stochastic electromagnetic array beams

A stochastic electromagnetic array beam that is generated by an electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model source is introduced by using tensor method. An analytical expression for the cross-spectral density matrix of the stochastic electromagnetic array beam propagating in a paraxial ABCD optical system is derived after performing vector integration. Some numerical calculations are illustrated for the propagation characteristics of such an array beam in free space and fractional Fourier transform (FRFT) system as application examples.     

Stochastic electromagnetic vortex beam and its propagation

The recent theory formulated in terms of the 2×2 cross-spectral density matrix and the propagation law of cross-spectral density are employed to investigate the stochastic electromagnetic vortex beam and its propagation characterization. Based on these, we derived the general formulae for the intensity distribution, degree of coherence and degree of polarization for stochastic electromagnetic vortex beam while propagating in free space. It is shown that the intensity distribution and the degree of polarization of the stochastic electromagnetic vortex beam propagating in free space depend on the correlation length and the topological charge of the vortex beam.     

Spatial coherence properties of azimuthally polarized laser modes

Understanding of coherence properties of optical fields is of basic importance both in classical optics and in quantum physics. Coherence properties of electromagnetic laser modes are only now beginning to be explored and have not yet been tested experimentally, except in the simplest cases. In this paper, we first study theoretically the coherence properties of azimuthally polarized laser modes and we clarify the distinction between coherence and correlations in stochastic electromagnetic fields, a distinction which has up to now not been fully understood and has, in fact, been a subject of controversy. Our analysis clearly illustrates the distinction between these two concepts. After elucidating theoretically the coherence properties of radially polarized laser modes, we describe an experimental study of their properties, made by the use of a recently introduced reversed-wavefront Young’s interferometer. A good agreement between theory and experiment has been found.     

Changes in generalized Stokes parameters of stochastic electromagnetic beams on propagation through ABCD optical systems and in the turbulent atmosphere

Using the derived formulas for the transformation of 2 × 2 cross-spectral density matrix of the stochastic electromagnetic beams propagating through ABCD optical systems and in the turbulent atmosphere, the changes in the generalized Stokes parameters of the beams propagating under these conditions can be investigated directly. Some typical numerical calculations are illustrated relating to the electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model beams passing through free space, focal system, dual-focus system, and the turbulent atmosphere with different structure parameters. Further extensions are also pointed out.     

Statistical properties of correlated radial stochastic electromagnetic array beams on propagation

A kind of array beam named the correlated radial stochastic electromagnetic array beam that is generated by an electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model source is introduced by use of tensor method. The analytical expression for the cross-spectral density matrix of this array beam propagating through the turbulent atmosphere and in free space is obtained after performing vector integration. Some typical numerical calculations are illustrated for the changes in the spectral density, spectral degree of polarization, and spectral degree of coherence of the beam on propagation. We find that the atmospheric turbulence can destroy the correlated effect among the beamlets.     

Effect of cross-polarization of electromagnetic source on the degree of polarization of generated beam

In this paper we study the degree of cross-polarization of a beam-like field whose cross-spectral density matrix is symmetric with respect to the permutation of its spatial arguments. Formulas were derived expressing the degree of cross-polarization in terms of the generalized Stokes parameters. With the help of an uniformly polarized quasi-homogeneous model source, the effect of degree of cross-polarization of a source on the degree of polarization of the radiated beam was demonstrated, that, two sources with same spectral degrees of coherence and polarization but with different degrees of cross-polarization can generate beams that have different spectral degrees of polarization in the far field.     

Focus shaping of cylindrically polarized vortex beams by a high numerical-aperture lens

The focus-shaping technique of a cylindrically polarized vortex beam by a high numerical-aperture lens is reported. Such a polarized vortex beam is decomposed into radial and azimuthal polarization. It is shown that the total intensity distribution in the focal region is dependent not only on the numerical-aperture maximal angle and the polarization rotation angle but also on the topological charge. By choosing the proper combination of parameters, the adjustably confined flat-topped focus and focal hole can be obtained. The focus-shaping technique may find wide applications, such as optical tweezers, laser printing and material processing.     

Smallest focal hole

We study theoretically routes toward the most confined dark channel that can be obtained using high angular aperture focusing. One possible solution is to use a radially polarized beam combined with an optical singularity. Another possibility is to use an azimuthally polarized light beam combined with an annular aperture or a phase filter. Our results suggest that a focal hole of full-width at half maximum of approximately 0.3λ₀/NA is achievable, where λ₀ is the wavelength in vacuum and NA is the numerical aperture of the focusing system. Finally, we show that by letting a phase-shifted plane wave and a focused scalar wave interfere only one point in the focal plane will exhibit zero intensity. Advantages and disadvantages of the schemes are discussed.     

Change of the size of vector Bessel beam rings under reflection

We theoretically predict the change of the size of Bessel beam rings under reflection. Considered electromagnetic Bessel beam is the superposition of phase shifted TE and TM polarized Bessel beams. Reflection from a semi-infinite medium and from a slab are studied. The sets of parameters maximizing the effect are discussed.     

Inscription of holographic gratings using circularly polarized light: influence of the optical set-up on the birefringence and surface relief grating properties

The polarization properties of the optical set-up used for holographic recording of diffraction gratings on azopolymer thin films are analyzed. The state of polarization of circularly polarized light is fully analyzed after reflection on a mirror at various incidences (Lloyd-mirror set-up). The Stokes analysis is performed using a photopolarimeter and the phase shift, the ellipticity and the azimuth orientation are compared with those calculated from Fresnel formulae. At large angles of incidence, an initially right circularly polarized (RCP) beam becomes elliptically polarized with an azimuth of nearly +45°. From these results, holographic diffraction gratings are recorded on an azobenzene-containing polymer thin film using (i) co- and contra-circularly polarized beams and (ii) a right circularly polarized beam interfering with a +45° linearly polarized light beam. Using Jones-matrix formalism, the polarization states of the diffracted orders from the birefringence (Δn) and the surface-relief (2Δd) gratings are derived and compared with experimental measurements. Finally, the induced local birefringences and surface-relief amplitudes are discussed in connection with atomic force microscopy measurements. The diffraction efficiencies obtained under the (+45°+RCP) and (LCP + RCP) (where LCP = left circularly polarized) configurations are thus compared and discussed. Received: 5 October 2001 / Revised version: 26 November 2001 / Published online: 17 January 2002     

Scattering from a Multi-Layered Sphere Located in a High-Order Hermite-Gaussian Beam

Scattering of a high-order Hermite-Gaussian beam by a multi-layered sphere is analyzed. The incident high- order Hermite-Gaussian beam field is expressed by the complex-source-point method and expanded in terms of spherical vector wave functions. The beam shape coefficients of the Hermite-Gaussian beam are obtained. Under electromagnetic field boundary conditions, coefficients in the expressions of scattering fields are derived. Results of the numerical calculation of scattering intensity are presented. The effects of the particle parameters and beam parameters on scattering intensity are discussed in detail.     

Vectorial structures of non-paraxial linearly polarized Gaussian beam and their beam propagation factors

Based on the vectorial structure of non-paraxial electromagnetic beam and non-paraxial vectorial moment theory, the relationship of the beam waists, the divergence angles and the beam propagation factors among non-paraxial linearly polarized Gaussian beam, its TE and TM terms have been presented, respectively. The analytical beam propagation factors are given and further discussed at the highly non-paraxial case. The maximum divergence angles in the x-direction of non-paraxial linearly polarized Gaussian beam, its TE and TM terms are all 54.7°, and those in the y-direction are limited to be 63.4°, 67.7° and 39.2°, respectively. As TE and TM terms are orthogonal and can be detached at the far field, the potential applications of the isolated TE and TM terms are deserved further investigation.     

Visibility in ghost imaging with classical partially polarized electromagnetic beams

We consider classical second-order ghost imaging with uniformly partially polarized electromagnetic beams and examine the effect of the degree of polarization of the incident light on the visibility of the image. Closed-form expressions for two previously proposed definitions of visibility are derived. Both results are physically similar and show that the visibility increases with the degree of polarization. Hence, a polarized beam is superior to an unpolarized one to obtain a high-visibility ghost image. Some related issues in recent literature are also addressed.     

The Gouy phase shift of the highly focused radially polarized beam

The Gouy phase shift in the focal field of high-NA focused radially polarized beam has been investigated in detail. Analytical expression for the Gouy phase shift can be derived using tilted wave interpretation, which provides a reasonable prediction compared to vectorial diffraction numerical simulation. Using this method, irregular wave spacing in the vicinity of the focus can be revealed.     

New Expressions for Dark-Hollow Light Beams

A class of new light beams of dark-hollow beams, named sinusoidal dark-hollow beams, is introduced. The propagation formula for a sinusoidal dark-hollow beam through a paraxial ABCD optical system is derived. The propagation properties of the sinusoidal dark-hollow beam are comparatively studied and illustrated with numerical examples.     

Partially coherent anomalous hollow beam and its paraxial propagation

Anomalous hollow beam is extended to the partially coherent case. Analytical propagation formulae for a partially coherent anomalous hollow beam passing through a paraxial ABCD optical system are derived. The propagation properties of a partially coherent anomalous hollow beam in free space and the focusing properties of a partially coherent anomalous hollow beam are studied numerically. It is found that the propagation and focusing properties of the partially coherent anomalous hollow beam are closely related to its initial coherence.