Vector beams encoded by diverse orthogonal polarization states and their generation based on metasurfaces

Abstract

Vector beams with spatially varying polarization states have wide application prospects. Convenient and feasible generation of compact vector beams become important for the applications in integrated optics and optical communication. Based on the superposition of orthogonal polarization vortex beams and the metasurface design, this paper studies systematically vector beams with hybrid states of polarization in diverse orthogonal polarization encoding. The spatial polarization of vector beam can be controlled through choosing the polarization types and adjusting the contributions of two orthogonal polarized beams. The generated vector beams based on metasurfaces verify the output of diversity polarization states in the transverse plane. The high polarization sensitivity of vector beam is beneficial to the polarization multiplexing and the utilization of optical metasurface realizes the polarization manipulation in nanometer scale. This work lays the foundation for the construction of complex vector beams and it is helpful for expanding the applications of vector beams.

Keywords

• metasurface
• polarization
• vector beam