Generation of vector vortex beams with a small core multimode liquid core optical fiber

We report on the generation of vector vortex beams using a 10-mu m core multimode liquid core optical fiber (LCOF) filled with CS2. The first higher-order modes including radially, azimuthally and hybrid polarized vector modes, as well as the higher-order modes such as LP21 mode and LP31 mode are selectively excited by adjusting the incidence angle of the linearly polarized input Gaussian beam with respect to the fiber axis. The interferograms with single forklet verify the phase singularity of the vector beams generated. Compared to silica optical fibers, the vector vortex beams from the LCOFs have higher excitation efficiency and larger bending tolerance. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America