Space-time vector light sheets

We introduce the space-time (ST) vector light sheet. This unique one-dimensional ST wave packet is characterized by classical entanglement (CE), a correlation between at least two non-separable intrinsic degrees-of-freedom (DoFs), which in this case are the spatiotemporal DoFs in parallel with the spatial-polarization DoFs. We experimentally confirm that the ST vector light sheet maintains the intrinsic features of the uniformly polarized ST light sheet, such as near-diffraction-free propagation and self-healing, while also maintaining the intrinsic polarization structure of common vector beams, such as those that are radially polarized and azimuthally polarized. We also show that the vector beam structure of the ST vector light sheet is maintained in the subluminal and superluminal regimes. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

The study introduces the concept of the space-time vector light sheet, demonstrating its characteristics of classical entanglement and maintaining the features of vector beams, such as near-diffraction-free propagation and self-healing. It also shows that the vector beam structure of the ST vector light sheet is maintained in both subluminal and superluminal regimes.