Switchable generation and dynamic evolution of vector vortex beams

The vector vortex beams (VVBs) are endowed with helical phase and vector polarization. The rich optical properties of VVBs have attracted extensive concern. Here the geometric phase is applied to manipulate both the phase and polarization of light for switchable generation of VVBs by vortex plates. As a natural longitudinally varying optical beam, the dynamic evolution of VVB with the propagation distance is also analyzed and verified based on the Gouy phase. The proposed method features simple structure, high beam quality and flexible switching, which may provide an alternative and flexible way for multi-degree-of-freedom modulation of optical beams and supplies solutions and approaches for applications in classical and quantum fields. (c) 2024 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement