Azimuthally and radially polarized light with a nematic SLM

Abstract

We demonstrate a technique for generating azimuthally and radially polarized beams using a nematic liquid crystal spatial light modulator and a pi phase step. The technique is similar in concept to prior techniques that interfere TEM(01) and TEM(10) laser modes, but the presented technique removes the requirement of interferometric stability. We calculate an overlap integral of >0.96 with >70% efficiency from an input Gaussian mode. The technique can easily switch between beams with azimuthal and radial polarization.