Cylindrical vector beams: from mathematical concepts to applications

TLDR

Cylindrical vector beams are axially symmetric solutions of the full vector electromagnetic wave equation that can be generated by various active and passive methods and manipulated while preserving their polarization symmetry. The study reviews the prospects of cylindrical vector beams and their potential applications beyond current uses. The authors highlight that the beams’ polarization symmetry enables high‑numerical‑aperture focusing, benefiting nanoscale optical imaging and manipulation.

Abstract

An overview of the recent developments in the field of cylindrical vector beams is provided. As one class of spatially variant polarization, cylindrical vector beams are the axially symmetric beam solution to the full vector electromagnetic wave equation. These beams can be generated via different active and passive methods. Techniques for manipulating these beams while maintaining the polarization symmetry have also been developed. Their special polarization symmetry gives rise to unique high-numerical-aperture focusing properties that find important applications in nanoscale optical imaging and manipulation. The prospects for cylindrical vector beams and their applications in other fields are also briefly discussed.