Dynamical charge inversion of polarization correlation vortex in propagating vector speckle field

Abstract

A study on first-order polarization correlation in propagating vector speckle fields is carried out. Vector speckle field, generated by scattering of Poincare beam, is propagated through a spherical and a cylindrical lens. The first-order polarization correlation is experimentally constructed from intensity images of vector speckle fields at various planes before and after the focal plane. We have shown with supporting experimental and simulation results that polarization correlation vortex experiences charge inversion while vector speckle field propagates through a cylindrical lens. The importance of this study relies on the fact that it provides insight into one of the important properties of light, i.e. the phase between the orthogonal polarization components, how it evolves as the optical field propagates through various optical components. This study could find application in optical data processing, imaging, sensing, speckle meteorology, phase unwrapping, optical communication, etc.