Young's double-slit experiment with vector vortex beams

In this Letter, Young's double-slit experiment with vector vortex beams is investigated. We present the results for various Poincare-Hopf index beams of this class considering all four major types. Polarization associated morphological changes in the far-field interference pattern are studied both theoretically and experimentally. The Fraunhofer pattern consists of lattices of polarization singularities of the generic type, located on a line, in a direction perpendicular to the slit. The number of linear lattices varies as a function of Poincare-Hopf index eta of the beam that is diffracted, and the number of intensity nulls occurring along the vertical line is equal to vertical bar eta vertical bar. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America

Automated summary

This Letter investigates Young's double-slit experiment with vector vortex beams, analyzing the results for various Poincare-Hopf index beams and studying the morphological changes in the far-field interference pattern. The Fraunhofer pattern consists of lattices of polarization singularities, the number of which varies based on the Poincare-Hopf index of the diffracted beam, with the number of intensity nulls along the vertical line equal to the absolute value of eta.