Computer-generated infrared depolarizer using space-variant subwavelength dielectric gratings

We present a novel method for the formation of a complete depolarizer that is based on a polarization-state scrambling procedure over the space domain. Such an element can be achieved by use of cascaded, computer-generated, space-variant subwavelength dielectric gratings. We introduce a theoretical analysis and experimentally demonstrate a depolarizer for infrared radiation at a wavelength of 10.6 microm.     

Pancharatnam--Berry phase in space-variant polarization-state manipulations with subwavelength gratings

We report the appearance of a geometrical phase in space-variant polarization-state manipulations. This phase is related to the classic Pancharatnam-Berry phase. We show a method with which to calculate it and experimentally demonstrate its effect, using subwavelength metal stripe space-variant gratings. The experiment is based on a unique grating for converting circularly polarized light at a wavelength of 10.6 mum into an azimuthally polarized beam. Our experimental evidence relies on analysis of far-field images of the resultant polarization.     

Geometrical phase image encryption obtained with space-variant subwavelength gratings

An optical encryption method based on a geometrical phase produced by space-variant polarization manipulation is presented. The decrypted picture is retrieved either by a polarization measurement of the beam emerging from the encrypted element or by a single intensity measurement of the beam transmitted through the encrypted element followed by an optical key element. Both elements are realized by use of computer-generated space-variant subwavelength dielectric gratings. Theoretical analyses of the optical concept are presented along with experimental results.     

Spatial Fourier-transform polarimetry using space-variant subwavelength metal-stripe polarizers

A novel method for rapid polarization measurement is suggested. The method is based on a periodic space-variant polarizer that can be realized by use of subwavelength metal-stripe gratings. The Stokes parameters of the incident beam are determined by Fourier analysis of the space-variant intensity transmitted through the grating, thus permitting real-time polarization measurement. We discuss the design and realization of such polarizers and demonstrate our technique with polarization measurements of CO(2)-laser radiation at a wavelength of 10.6mum.     

Rotating vectorial vortices produced by space-variant subwavelength gratings

A new class of vectorial vortex based on coherent addition of two orthogonal circularly polarized Bessel beams of identical order but with different propagation constants is presented. The transversely space-variant axially symmetric polarization distributions of these vectorial fields rotate as they propagate, while they maintain a propagation-invariant Bessel intensity distribution. These properties were demonstrated by use of discrete space-variant subwavelength gratings for 10.6 microm CO2 laser radiation. The polarization properties were verified by both full space-variant polarization analysis and measurements. Rotating intensity patterns are also demonstrated by transmitting the vectorial vortices through a linear polarizer.     

Real-time analysis of partially polarized light with a space-variant subwavelength dielectric grating

A novel method for real-time polarization measurement is presented. The method is based on a space-variant wave plate that we realized as a computer-generated space-variant subwavelength dielectric grating. The Stokes parameters of the incident beam are determined by Fourier analysis of the space-variant intensity transmitted through the grating and an analyzer. We discuss the design and realization of such wave plates and demonstrate our technique with polarization measurements of both polarized and partially polarized CO(2)-laser radiation at a wavelength of 10.6 mum.     

Radially and azimuthally polarized beams generated by space-variant dielectric subwavelength gratings

We present a novel method for forming radially and azimuthally polarized beams by using computer-generated subwavelength dielectric gratings. The elements were deposited upon GaAs substrates and produced beams with a polarization purity of 99.2% at a wavelength of 10.6 microm . We have verified the polarization properties with full space-variant polarization analysis and measurement, and we show that such beams have certain vortexlike properties and that they carry angular momentum.     

Near-infrared demonstration of computer-generated holograms implemented by using subwavelength gratings with space-variant orientation

We provide an experimental demonstration of novel form-birefringent computer-generated holograms at wavelengths of 1.55 and 10.6 microm. These novel devices utilize a 2-D array of cells that can be fabricated with a single lithographic step. Each cell contains a subwavelength binary grating whose orientation controls the desired continuous phase profile within the cell.     

Engineering space-variant inhomogeneous media for polarization control

Novel devices for converting a linear polarization state to radial or azimuthal polarization states are realized by use of space-variant inhomogeneous media on a subwavelength scale. The two designs presented use form birefringence to locally transform the polarization state. The devices are fabricated in a GaAs substrate for operation in the far-infrared wavelength range. The experimental characterization is in good agreement with the designs, demonstrating high conversion efficiency.     

Formation of linearly polarized light with axial symmetry by use of space-variant subwavelength gratings

We present a novel method for forming linearly polarized axially symmetric beams with various polarization orders that is based on computer-generated space-variant subwavelength gratings. We introduce and experimentally demonstrate that our space-variant polarization state manipulations are accompanied by a phase modification of a helical structure that results from the Pancharatnam-Berry phase. We have verified the polarization properties of our gratings for laser radiation at 10.6-microm wavelength.     

Thermal image encryption obtained with a SiO2 space-variant subwavelength grating supporting surface phonon-polaritons

Space-variant partially polarized thermal emission is investigated. We show that by coupling surface phonon-polaritons to a propagating field, large anisotropy of the emissivity is obtained within a narrow spectral range. We experimentally demonstrate this effect by fabricating a space-variant subwavelength grating on a SiO2 substrate to encrypt an image in the polarization state of a thermal radiation field.     

The effect of two ferromagnetic metal stripes on valley polarization of electrons in a graphene

As the key factor for designing the valleytronic devices is to well understand the valley-dependent transport mechanism in graphene, we investigate, in this work, the effect of two ferromagnetic (FM) metal stripes on the valley polarization in a graphene nanostructure with a strain. The nearly 100% valley polarization is observed at certain energy windows and it can be easily controlled through changing the width and the position of the FM stripe as well as the strength of the magnetic field induced by the FM stripe. Our interesting findings reveal the valley-dependent transport mechanism of electrons and promote the realization of the new types of valleytronic devices modulated by the FM stripe and the strain.     

Generation of vector beam with space-variant distribution of both polarization and phase

We present an idea to generate an arbitrary space-variant vector beam with structured polarization and phase distributions. The vector beams are synthesized from the left- and right-hand polarized light, each carrying different phase distributions. Both the phase and the state of polarization of vector beams can be tailored independently and dynamically by a spatial light modulator.     

Space-variant polarization scrambling for image encryption obtained with subwavelength gratings

We present an optical encryption method based on geometrical phase, which is originated from polarization manipulation. The decrypted picture is retrieved by measuring the polarization of the beam emerging from the encrypted element. The encrypted element is achieved by using a computer-generated space-variant subwavelength dielectric grating. Theoretical analyses of the optical concept by use of Jones and Mueller formalisms, as well as experimental results including full optical decryption process are introduced. Digital implementation and the possibility of using watermarking are also discussed.     

Computer-generated holographic optical elements produced by photolithography

We report the creation of novel computer-generated holographic optical elements. The method of computing diffraction gratings producing a continuous focal pattern in the form of a line and also gratings that have N orders in a row of equal energy is described. The method has also been developed for coding the filter-complex transmittance functions in order to form and analyze the transverse modes. All the above elements are realized as glass-substrate binary-phase refractive holograms by projection photolithography by using photoreduction. The minimum line width is 2·5 mkm. These elements may also be fabricated as reflective holograms.

Phot-masks and the results of an investigation of the intensity distribution produced by the elements are presented. The investigation results confirm the synthesized elements' high quality.     

Low-loss subwavelength metal C-aperture waveguide

We present a design of a linear optical waveguide that utilizes a C-shaped metallic nano-aperture that efficiently transports light while maintaining a spot size of lambda/10. The performance of a C-aperture waveguide is superior to both a regular ridge waveguide and other surface plasmon based metal nano-optical waveguides. The energy transport mechanisms are explained by the coupling of an aperture surface resonance and the thickness resonances inside the guide channel. Finite-difference time-domain simulations of gold C-aperture waveguides are performed for a 1.5 microm wavelength incident plane wave. The 1/e decay length in power transmission is predicted to be approximately 2.5 microm. The total power throughput is 1.66 for the 2.55 microm long guide, with an intensity 6 times that of the incident wave at a distance 120 nm from the exit plane, having a spot size of 150 nm.     

Space-variant Pancharatnam-Berry phase optical elements with computer-generated subwavelength gratings

Space-variant Pancharatnam-Berry phase optical elements based on computer-generated subwavelength gratings are presented. By continuously controlling the local orientation and period of the grating we can achieve any desired phase element. We present a theoretical analysis and experimentally demonstrate a Pancharatnam-Berry phase-based diffraction grating for laser radiation at a wavelength of 10.6microm.     

亚波长光栅的偏振闪耀特性

 使用琼斯矩阵的方法推导了连续结构亚波长光栅的衍射方程,给出了光栅衍射效率表达式,对偏振特性与衍射特性进行了研究。发现连续结构亚波长光栅仅存在３个衍射级,总衍射效率为100%,且衍射效率可在衍射级间任意分配,0级的偏振态与入射光的偏振态相同,±1级衍射光偏振态与入射光无关,－1级为左旋圆偏振光,＋1级为右旋圆偏振光。通过设置入射光偏振态与光栅相位延迟等参数,可使光栅具有闪耀特性,据此可用于设计高效偏振光分束器和偏振光开关。     

Channel plasmon-polariton guiding by subwavelength metal grooves

We report on realization of channel plasmon-polariton (CPP) propagation along a subwavelength metal groove. Using imaging with a near-field microscope and end-fire coupling with a tapered fiber connected to a tunable laser at telecommunication wavelengths (1425-1620 nm), we demonstrate low-loss (propagation length approximately 100 microm) and well-confined (mode width approximately 1.1 microm) CPP guiding along a triangular 0.6 microm-wide and 1 microm-deep groove in gold. We develop a simple model based on the effective-index method that accounts for the main features of CPP guiding and provides a clear physical picture of this phenomenon.     

Ultracompact polarization converter with a dual subwavelength trench built in a silicon-on-insulator waveguide

The design and fabrication of an ultracompact silicon-on-insulator polarization converter is reported. The polarization conversion with an extinction ratio of 16 dB is achieved for a conversion length of only 10 μm. Polarization rotation is achieved by inducing a vertical asymmetry by forming in the waveguide core two subwavelength trenches of different depths. By taking advantage of the calibrated reactive ion etch lag, the two depths are implemented using a single mask and etching process. The measured converter loss is -0.7 dB and the 3 dB bandwidth is 26 nm.