Xunong Yi

Realization of polarization evolution on higher-order Poincaré sphere with metasurface

We present a simple and convenient method to yield cylindrical vector (CV) beams and realize its polarization evolution on higher-order Poincare sphere based on inhomogeneous birefringent metasurface. By means of local polarization transformation of the metasurface, it is possible to convert a light beam with homogeneous elliptical polarization into a vector beam with any desired polarization distribution. The Stokes parameters of the output light are measured to verify our scheme, which show well agreement with the theoretical prediction. Our method may provide a convenient way to generate CV beams, which is expected to have potential applications in encoding information and quantum computation.

Realization of tunable spin-dependent splitting in intrinsic photonic spin Hall effect

We report the realization of tunable spin-dependent splitting in intrinsic photonic spin Hall effect. By breaking the rotational symmetry of a cylindrical vector beam, the intrinsic vortex phases that the two spin components of the vector beam carries, which is similar to the geometric Pancharatnam-Berry phase, is no longer continuous in the azimuthal direction, and leads to observation of spin accumulation at the opposite edge of the beam. Due to the inherent nature of the phase and independency of light-matter interaction, the observed photonic spin Hall effect is intrinsic. Modulating the topological charge of the vector beam, the spin-dependent splitting can be enhanced and the direction of spin accumulation is switchable. Our findings may provide a possible route for generation and manipulation of spin-polarized photons, and enables spin-based photonics applications.

Observation of photonic spin Hall effect with phase singularity at dielectric metasurfaces

Observation of photonic spin Hall effect (SHE) near the phase singularity at dielectric metasurfaces is presented. The structured metasurface works as a space-variant Pancharatnam-Berry phase element and produces a vortex beam with phase singularity. The dynamical vortex phase is introduced to eliminate or enhance the phase singularity, thus realizing the manipulation of spin-dependent Pancharatnam-Berry phase. The spin-orbit coupling near the singularity of the Pancharatnam-Berry phase leads to the observation of the photonic SHE which manifests itself as spin-dependent splitting. The underlying mechanism is significantly different from previously reported cases. It thereby provides an alternative way to manipulate the spin states of photons.

Characterization and manipulation of full Poincaré beams on the hybrid Poincaré sphere

We develop a hybrid Poincare sphere to characterize the so-called full Poincare beam with any polarization geometry. The two eigenstates of the hybrid Poincare sphere are defined as a fundamental-mode Gaussian beam and a Laguerre–Gaussian beam. We further establish a robust and efficient experimental setup to generate any desired full Poincare beam on the hybrid Poincare sphere via modulating the incident polarization state of light. Our research provides an alternative way for describing and manipulating the full Poincare beam and an effective method to control the polarization state of light.

Manipulation of full Poincaré beams on a hybrid Poincaré sphere

We present a hybrid Poincaré sphere, whose eigenstates are defined as a pair of circularly polarized fundamental-mode Gaussian beam and a Laguerre-Gaussian beam, to describe the so-called full Poincaré beam. We also show that any desired full Poincaré beam over the hybrid Poincaré sphere via modulating the incident polarization state of light and two cascaded half-wave plates. This research provides an alternative way for charactering and manipulating the full Poincaré beam and an effective method to control the polarization state of light.

Intrinsic spin Hall effect of vector beam with rotational symmetry-breaking

We report the demonstration of intrinsic spin Hall effect (SHE) of cylindrical vector beam. Employing a fan-shaped aperture to block part of the vector beam, the intrinsic vortex phases are no longer continuous in the azimuthal direction, and results in the spin accumulation at the opposite edges of the light beam. Due to the inherent nature of the phase and independency of light-matter interaction, the observed SHE is intrinsic. Modulating the topological charge of the vector beam, the spin-dependent splitting can be enhanced and the direction of spin accumulation is switchable.

Manipulation of photonic spin Hall effect with space-variant Pancharatnam-Berry phase

Observation of photonic spin Hall effect (SHE) manifested by spin-dependent splitting of light in a dielectric-based birefringent metasurface is reported experimentally. By designing the metasurface with homogeneous phase retardation but space-variant optical axis directions, we govern the photonic SHE via space-variant Pancharatnam-Berry phase originated from the local polarization manipulation of the metasurface, essentially, the spin-orbit interaction between the light and the metasurface. Modulating the polarization distribution of the incident light and/or the structure geometry of the metasurface, the photonic SHE could be tunable. This type of metasurface offers an effective way to manipulate the spin-polarized photons and a route for spin-controlled nanophotonic applications.