Propagation-invariant vectorial Bessel beams obtained by use of quantized Pancharatnam-Berry phase optical elements

Propagation-invariant vectorial Bessel beams with linearly polarized axial symmetry based on quantized Pancharatnam-Berry phase optical elements are described. The geometric phase is formed through the use of discrete computer-generated space-variant subwavelength dielectric gratings. We have verified the polarization properties of our elements for laser radiation at 10.6-microm wavelength and also demonstrated propagation-invariant, controlled rotation of a propeller-shaped intensity pattern through the simple rotation of a polarizer.