Polarization singularities in 2D and 3D speckle fields.
The 3D structure of randomly polarized light fields is exemplified by its polarization singularities: lines along which the polarization is purely circular (C lines) and surfaces on which the polarization is linear (L surfaces). We visualize these polarization singularities experimentally in vector laser speckle fields, and in numerical simulations of random wave superpositions. Our results confirm previous analytical predictions [M. R. Dennis, Opt. Commun. 213, 201 (2002)] regarding the statistical distribution of types of C points and relate their 2D properties to their 3D structure.
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom.
Florian
F
Flossmann
Kevin
K
O'Holleran
Mark R
MR
Dennis
Miles J
MJ
Padgett