Polarization singularities and orbital angular momentum sidebands from rotational symmetry broken by the Pockels effect.

ABSTRACT: The law of angular momentum conservation is naturally linked to the rotational symmetry of the involved system. Here we demonstrate theoretically how to break the rotational symmetry of a uniaxial crystal via the electro-optic Pockels effect. By numerical method based on asymptotic expansion, we discover the 3D structure of polarization singularities in terms of C lines and L surfaces embedded in the emerging light. We visualize the controllable dynamics evolution of polarization singularities when undergoing the Pockels effect, which behaves just like the binary fission of a prokaryotic cell, i.e., the splitting of C points and fission of L lines are animated in analogy with the cleavage of nucleus and division of cytoplasm. We reveal the connection of polarization singularity dynamics wi

SUBMITTER: Lu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4007095 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature