Generation of vector optical vortices in a Mach–Zehnder polarization interferometer

Reshetnikov D.D., Pavelina M.E., Ryzhaya A.А., Malyutina E.V., Sevryugin A.А., Vashukevich E.A., Petrov, V.M., Venediktov, V.Y.

For Russian citation (Opticheskii Zhurnal):

Решетников Д.Д., Павелина М.Е., Рыжая А.А., Малютина Е.В., Севрюгин А.А., Вашукевич Е.А., Петров В.М., Венедиктов В.Ю. Генерация векторных оптических вихрей в поляризационном интерферометре Маха–Цендера // Оптический журнал. 2026. Т. 93. № 3. С. 4–14. http://doi.org/10.17586/1023-5086-2026-93-03-4-14

Reshetnikov D.D., Pavelina M.E., Ryzhaya A.A., Malyutina E.V., Sevryugin A.A., Vashukevich E.A., Petrov V.M., Venediktov V.Yu. Generation of vector optical vortices in a Mach–Zehnder polarization interferometer [in Russian] // Opticheskii Zhurnal. 2026. V. 93. № 3. P. 4–14. http://doi.org/10.17586/1023-5086-2026-93-03-4-14

For citation (Journal of Optical Technology):

Abstract:

Subject of study. Vector optical vortices generation in a Mach–Zehnder polarization interferometer. Aim of the study. The development of methods for the generation of vector and scalar optical vortices using a modified Mach–Zehnder polarization interferometer. Experimental study of the polarization interferometer system with cube corner reflectors is described, as well as the theoretical description of polarization transformations within this device using the Jones matrix formalism. Method. A modified scheme of the Mach–Zehnder polarization interferometer has been used to generate both scalar and vector optical vortices. The orbital angular momentum of these optical vortices has been determined by observing the interference pattern of its interference with a reference Gaussian beam. Main results. As a result of this work, the possibility of scalar vortices with orbital angular momentum ±1 and vector optical vortices with axisymmetric polarization structures has been demonstrated. A theoretical description of polarization transformations in an interferometer setup using the Jones formalism has also been provided. Practical significance. The states produced in the polarization interferometer setup can be utilized to encode information for quantum communication, quantum cryptography, and satellite-based optical data transmission systems. The optical circuit’s configuration is highly adaptable and enables the generation of vortex beams with diverse parameters, which is significant for high-bandwidth communication applications.

Keywords:

structured light, optical vortex, retroreflectors, cubic corner reflectors, polarization of light, polarization interferometer, far field, far field diffraction pattern

OCIS codes: 110.0110, 260.3160, 3000.30970

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