Electro-Optic Modulation of Higher-Order Poincare Beam Based on Nonlinear Optical Crystal

Vector beams (VBs) have spatially inhomogeneous polarization states distribution and have been widely used in many fields. In this paper, we proposed a method to modulate polarization states of higher-order Poincare (HOP) beams and designed a system based on Mach-Zehnder interferometers, in which polarization state (include azimuth and ellipticity) of generated HOP beams were modulated by linear electro-optic (EO) effect of nonlinear optical crystals. Using this method, the polarization state of generated HOP beams could be controlled by voltage signal applied on EO crystals, which makes the process of the polarization state change with no optical element moving and mechanical vibrations. Besides, due to the flexibility of the voltage signal, the polarization state could be switched directly and immediately.

Automated summary

This paper proposes a method to modulate the polarization states of higher-order Poincare beams using Mach-Zehnder interferometers and nonlinear optical crystals. The polarization state of the beams can be controlled by applying a voltage signal on electro-optic crystals, allowing for direct and immediate switching.