Optical vortices from liquid crystal droplets

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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/193663

Title: Optical vortices from liquid crystal droplets
Author(s): Brasselet, Etienne; Murazawa, Naoki; Misawa, Hiroaki; Juodkazis, Saulius
Abstract: We report on the generation of mono- and polychromatic optical phase singularities from micron-sized birefringent droplets. This is done experimentally by using liquid crystal droplets whose three dimensional architecture of the optical axis is controlled within the bulk by surfactant agents. Because of its microscopic size these optical vortex generators are optically trapped and manipulated at will, thus realizing a robust self-aligned micro-optical device for orbital angular momentum conversion. Experimental observations are supported by a simple model of optical spin-orbit coupling in uniaxial dielectrics that emphasizes the prominent role of the transverse optical anisotropy with respect to the beam propagation direction.
Publication type: Journal article
Source: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 103, no. 10 (Sep 2009), article no. 103903
Publication year: 2009
FOR Code(s): 01 Mathematical Sciences; 02 Physical Sciences; 09 Engineering
Keyword(s): Liquid crystal droplets; Monochromatic light; Optical trapping; Optical vortices; Polychromatic light
Publisher: American Physical Society
ISSN: 0031-9007
Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.103903
Peer reviewed