New paper in Applied Optics with a q-plates designs with non-linear angular distribution of the principal axis
We published a new paper in Applied Optics entitled Q-plates with a nonlinear azimuthal distribution of the principal axis: application to encoding binary data. This work has been developed with out colleagues at San Diego State University.
Here we use the optical system developed at SDSU to control two linear polarization components to encode q-plates where the angular orientation of the principal axis is varied spatially with a nonstandard distribution. We consider two cases: first, where the principal axis distribution is like an inverse-tangent function of the azimuth; and second, where it displays linear and flat segments. This last case is proposed as a new method for encoding binary data into the azimuthal lobes of the vector beam.
The use of the spatial light modulator based system allows these new and exotic q-plate designs without the difficulty of fabricating individual plates. Experimental results are presented.