Polarization singularities: Topological and dynamical aspects

The review describes general principles and characteristics of inhomogeneously polarized paraxial optical fields and, especially, the polarization singularities (PSs). Main parameters of the optical vector waves are discussed, with the emphasis on the physical relevance and topological distinctiveness of the PSs. Special features of the stochastic vector fields are considered in the context of the PSs' genericity and structural stability. A detailed attention is paid to interrelations between the PSs and the phase singularities of scalar fields formed by the orthogonal polarization projections of the total field, and their derivatives (complex Stokes fields, phase-difference fields, etc.). On this base, the practical approaches are discussed for the experimental PS identification and characterization. A particular examination of the internal energy flows associated with the PSs, and accompanying distributions of the optical momentum and angular momentum, reveals meaningful dynamical features of PSs and supplies additional physically transparent and informative means for their studies and characterization.

Automated summary

The review discusses the general principles and characteristics of inhomogeneously polarized paraxial optical fields, with a focus on the polarization singularities (PSs). The main parameters of optical vector waves are discussed, along with the physical relevance and topological distinctiveness of the PSs. The review also examines the interrelations between the PSs and phase singularities of scalar fields formed by orthogonal polarization projections, and discusses practical approaches for experimental PS identification and characterization. Additionally, dynamics features of the PSs, such as internal energy flows, optical momentum, and angular momentum distributions, are studied and provide further means for characterization.