The angular momentum of light can be split into a spin and an orbital component (SAM and OAM). A few years ago, an optical process involving a conversion of angular momentum from one form to the other was conceived and experimentally demonstrated in a singular patterned liquid crystal cell, also known as "q-plate". In this paper, after reviewing the q-plate concept and technology, we will survey some of the most significant results that have originated from it, with particular attention to the possibility of realizing a physical one-to-one mapping between the polarization Poincaré sphere and an OAM subspace of an optical beam or of a single photon. Copyright © 2012 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
Spin-to-Orbital Optical Angular Momentum Conversion in Liquid Crystal “q-Plates”: Classical and Quantum Applications / L., Marrucci; E., Karimi; S., Slussarenko; B., Piccirillo; E., Santamato; Nagali, Eleonora; Sciarrino, Fabio. - In: MOLECULAR CRYSTALS AND LIQUID CRYSTALS. - ISSN 1542-1406. - 561:1(2012), pp. 48-56. [10.1080/15421406.2012.686710]
Spin-to-Orbital Optical Angular Momentum Conversion in Liquid Crystal “q-Plates”: Classical and Quantum Applications
NAGALI, ELEONORA;SCIARRINO, Fabio
2012
Abstract
The angular momentum of light can be split into a spin and an orbital component (SAM and OAM). A few years ago, an optical process involving a conversion of angular momentum from one form to the other was conceived and experimentally demonstrated in a singular patterned liquid crystal cell, also known as "q-plate". In this paper, after reviewing the q-plate concept and technology, we will survey some of the most significant results that have originated from it, with particular attention to the possibility of realizing a physical one-to-one mapping between the polarization Poincaré sphere and an OAM subspace of an optical beam or of a single photon. Copyright © 2012 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.