Generation of Vector Vortex Beams Based on the Optical Integration of Dynamic Phase and Geometric Phase

The phase and polarization of electromagnetic waves can be conveniently manipulated by the dynamic phase and geometric phase elements. Here, we propose a compact optical integration of dynamic phase and geometric phase to generate arbitrary vector vortex beams on a hybrid-order Poincare sphere. Two different technologies have been applied to integrate dynamic and geometric phase elements into a single glass plate to modulate the phase and polarization of light simultaneously. A spiral phase structure is made on one side of a glass substrate with optical lithography and a geometric phase metasurface structure is designed on the other side by femtosecond laser writing. The vector polarization is realized by the metasurface structure, while the vortex phase is generated by the spiral phase plate. Therefore, any desirable vector vortex beams on the hybrid-order Poincare sphere can be generated. We believe that our scheme may have potential applications in future integrated optical devices for the generation of vector vortex beams due to its the high transmission efficiency and conversion efficiency.

Automated summary

A compact optical integration of dynamic phase and geometric phase is proposed to generate arbitrary vector vortex beams on a hybrid-order Poincare sphere. By applying two different technologies, dynamic and geometric phase elements are integrated into a single glass plate to simultaneously modulate the phase and polarization of light. The vector polarization is realized by the metasurface structure, while the vortex phase is generated by the spiral phase plate. Potential applications in future integrated optical devices are anticipated due to its high transmission efficiency and conversion efficiency.