Complete polarization and phase control with a single spatial light modulator for the generation of complex light fields

We present an optical system for the formation of arbitrary spatial polarization and phase patterns with a single spatial light modulator (SLM). Any such complex light beam can be generated by using three interactions with a computer controlled SLM. We achieved this by bouncing the beam three times in different areas on the SLM surface, and the cumulative interactions provide for any desired polarization and phase state imprinted on the output beam. The system can deliver high output power, since the only light loss arises from imperfect optical elements.