Generation and switching of focused vector and vortex beams by a composite polarization hologram

In the field of optics, vector and vortex beams, with their unique and fascinating properties, are showing considerable potential in scientific research and practical applications. In this study, composite polarization holograms were prepared by holographic exposure using a polarization-sensitive material of polymethylmethacrylate doped with phenanthrenequinone (PQ/PMMA). The experimental results show that focused radial vector and vortex beams can be generated when being incident by circularly polarized waves with different rotational directions, respectively. The introduction of the focusing property, and the different responses to the rotational direction of the circularly polarized wave, makes our study potentially applicable in the fields of structured beam generation, detection, and optical information processing. (c) 2024 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement