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Controlling the polarization state of light is an important research region in optics due to its enormous potential. Conventional polarization converters inevitably express huge size and low efficiency, which run counter to the requirement of modern optics. Herein, a frequency-dependent multi-functional metasurface is proposed and researched to design a broad-band and high-efficiency reflective-type polarization converter at near-infrared band. Based on the simulation results, 90 ° polarization convertor and quarter wave plate can be realized at different wavelengths. The broad-band 90 ° polarization convertor will transform gradually to a broad-band quarter wave plate by increasing the "coupling gap" at the long wavelength region, and the functionalities of 90 ° polarization convertor and quarter wave plate can always be kept at the short wavelength region. Our results can provide a guide to design the ultrathin optical polarization converters. • The 90 ° polarization convertor (CPC) and quarter wave plate (QWP) can be realized at different wavelengths. • The broadband CPC (QWP) can be obtained in the near infrared region. • The CPC and QWP can be transformed into each other by adjusting the "coupling gap". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present an investigation of two-color polarization spectroscopy (TCPS) based on cesium 6S1/2–6P3/2–7S1/2 (852nm+1470nm) ladder-type system in a room-temperature vapor cell. The 1470nm laser can be offset locked by TCPS combining with frequency modulation sideband. This locking scheme offers a method of modulation-free and conveniently tunable the lock point of laser frequency relative to an excited state transition, and may have many applications such as in two-color magneto-optical trap, diamond-level structure four-wave mixing experiments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: With the classical ensemble model, we have investigated double ionization of xenon atoms by an elliptically polarized few-cycle laser pulse at intensity 4×1014 W/cm2. The results show that sequential double ionization (SDI) and nonsequential double ionization (NSDI) exist simultaneously with this laser field. The momentum distributions of SDI and NSDI both strongly depend on the carrier-envelop phase (CEP). Back analysis shows that the ionization times of both electrons in SDI and the recollision time in NSDI have a strong dependence on CEP, which is responsible for the CEP-dependent momentum distributions of SDI and NSDI. The rich details of SDI and NSDI are intuitively revealed by back analysis of the classical trajectories. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have theoretically investigated polarization insensitive all-optical wavelength conversion for polarization multiplexing signal based on dual-pump four-wave mixing (FWM) in a SOA. The simulation result shows that the polarization insensitive converted signal can be separated into two lightwaves without crosstalk when one of the two orthogonal data lightwaves is parallel with one pump and the SOA should be polarization insensitive. Several conditions which affect the conversion efficiency for polarization multiplexing signal are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The focal shifts of focused truncated random electromagnetic beams are investigated. Based on the complex Gaussian expansion method for a hard-edged aperture function, the analytical propagation formula of cross-spectral density matrix for a random electromagnetic beam focused by an optical system with a thin lens and a circular aperture is derived. The Fresnel numbers related with the beam and system parameters are defined and used to examine focal shifts. The dependence of the focal shifts on the different Fresnel numbers and polarization distribution are discussed in detail with numerical examples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Young''s interference experiment is regarded as a two-slit diffraction phenomenon, the polarization singularities in Young''s two-slit configuration illuminated with two linearly, orthogonally polarized Gaussian vortex beams are studied. It is shown that generally, there exist L-lines (linearly polarization) and polarization singularities including C-points (circular polarization), S 23 and S 31 singularities even though the parameters of two beams are the same. The pair creation–annihilation and motion of polarization singularities take place upon propagation, or by varying a control parameter, such as the amplitude ratio of two beams or obscure ratio of slits etc. For a special case of the illumination with two linearly, orthogonally polarized Gaussian vortex-free beams, polarization singularities, in particular, C-points may occur if a parameter of two beams is not equal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A monochromatic bi-modal coherent light, endowed with orthogonally polarized photons propagating collinearly, is allowed to impinge as pump field in degenerate parametric amplification. Generation of Hidden Optical-Polarized State is seen by non-zero values of Index of Hidden Optical-Polarization. Squeezing in Hidden Optical-Polarized State is demonstrated by recognizing a Squeezing Function of which departure from unit-value ensures the squeezing. Furthermore, the non-classical feature is witnessed by the ‘Degree of Hidden Optical-Polarization’ having value ‘greater than unity’. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Circularly polarized, intersecting Gauss-Laguerre beams are shown to give rise to a rich array of unusual polarization structures whose properties can be tuned by varying the angle between the beams. These structures include Möbius strips with arbitrarily large, odd numbers of half twists, twisted ribbons with arbitrarily large, even numbers of half twists, and coronets (crowns). Six topological/geometrical indices are used to characterize these structures. Analytical expressions are given for some indices; others, which still present a considerable theoretical challenge, are treated numerically and illustrated graphically. It is argued that the polarization structures described here are, or soon will be, amenable to experiment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An ultra-low-loss coupler for interfacing a silicon-on-insulator ridge waveguide and a single-mode fiber in both polarizations is presented. The inverted taper coupler, embedded in a polymer waveguide, is optimized for both the transverse-magnetic and transverse-electric modes through tapering the width of the silicon-on-insulator waveguide from 450nm down to less than 15nm applying a thermal oxidation process. Two inverted taper couplers are integrated with a 3-mm long silicon-on-insulator ridge waveguide in the fabricated sample. The measured coupling losses of the inverted taper coupler for transverse-magnetic and transverse-electric modes are ∼0.36dB and ∼0.66dB per connection, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The phase structure is investigated at the focal plane of an aplanatic, high numerical aperture focusing optical system. The tightly focused field is numerically evaluated using combination of the Richards–Wolf approach and the Stratton–Chu diffraction integral. An investigation is performed for both 2D and 3D geometries for a number of different illumination structures, having piecewise quasi-constant phase at the entrance pupil and different polarization states. For the investigated illumination structures, the quadratic phase term of the focused field was found to depend on the structure of the incident illumination contrary to the paraxial case where it depends solely on the optical system parameters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A definition of the degree of cross-polarization in the space–time domain is introduced which is based on considerations of the correlations of intensity fluctuations of an electromagnetic beam at two points. Some general properties of this quantity are discussed. For the special cases of fully coherent and fully polarized light it is shown that the degree of cross-polarization exhibits a relationship between the states of polarization at the two points. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The elastic twisting of a fiber in the cold condition causes two effects: a geometrical rotation of the birefringence axes of the fiber with the twist rate and a torsional stress. In this work, considering only the geometrical contribution, we derive a matrix model based on classical polarization optics. The predictions of this model, useful for fibers with a low twist rate, are compared with experimental results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We study the superbending effect in a two-dimensional graded photonic crystal (GPC) for both TE and TM modes. We show that the lateral beam shift is extremely sensitive to the wavelength for the TM mode but not TE mode, indicating the potential in designing some special superbending devices, for example, TE/TM splitter and polarization-indifference waveguide at prescribed wavelengths. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report on the experimental demonstration of a spectrum shaping filter, which is formed by inserting a fiber polarization controller (PC) in to a Sagnac loop. Pedestal free and narrow spectrum with line width at 1.4–1.7nm is obtained, which is advantageous for further power amplification and effective frequency doubling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The radially polarized partially coherent Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) beam is introduced and its paraxial propagation properties are studied. The effect of propagation parameters on the intensity distribution, the beam quality, the polarization property and the coherent property of the beam is illustrated analytically and numerically. It is shown that in free space the correlation length has a significant influence on the intensity profile and the degree of polarization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A Mueller matrix polarimeter acquired for four-channeled spectra is proposed. Both the polarizing and analyzing optics of this system consist of a linear polarizer and a high-order retarder. The polarizing elements can modulate the polarization states in the wavenumber space. By applying a Fourier transform method to a single-channeled spectrum, nine elements of the Mueller matrix can be deconvoluted without modifying the configuration of either the polarizing or analyzing optics. It is thus possible to determine the wavelength dependence of all the Mueller matrix elements from four-channeled spectra obtained using four different configurations for the polarizing and analyzing optics. The performance of this method is evaluated by measuring polarization properties, such as retardance, azimuthal angle, and linear diattenuation, from the obtained Mueller matrix in wavenumber space. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Understanding of coherence properties of optical fields is of basic importance both in classical optics and in quantum physics. Coherence properties of electromagnetic laser modes are only now beginning to be explored and have not yet been tested experimentally, except in the simplest cases. In this paper, we first study theoretically the coherence properties of azimuthally polarized laser modes and we clarify the distinction between coherence and correlations in stochastic electromagnetic fields, a distinction which has up to now not been fully understood and has, in fact, been a subject of controversy. Our analysis clearly illustrates the distinction between these two concepts. After elucidating theoretically the coherence properties of radially polarized laser modes, we describe an experimental study of their properties, made by the use of a recently introduced reversed-wavefront Young’s interferometer. A good agreement between theory and experiment has been found. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A principle possibility of second harmonic generation (SHG) from the surface of a chiral medium by normally incident focused fundamental beam has been shown earlier, and the key features of this phenomenon (forbidden in a planewave approximation) have been outlined in [N.I. Koroteev, V.A. Makarov, S.N. Volkov, Laser Phys. 8 (1998) 532–535]. In our work we have obtained analytical expressions, which describe the distributions of intensity and polarization in the cross-section of a second-harmonic (SH) light beam. It is found that the polarization state drastically changes along the cross-section of the signal light beam. The polarization effects concerning the transversal inhomogeneous polarization distribution were studied in detail. It is shown that the measurement of the polarization state in certain areas of the SH beam cross-section gives us quantitative information directly about the medium material constants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We characterize a reflective Holoeye LC-R 2500 spatial light modulator with a technique in which Jones matrices describing its polarization capabilities are obtained and then used for any arbitrary configuration. We apply this method to predict a phase-mostly modulation response with minimum amplitude contrast and a phase modulation range close to 2π rad. This allows us to generate multiple traps in a holographic optical tweezers setup with high light efficiency and hardly any unwanted energy on the zero diffraction order. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: According to the oblique incidence characteristics of thin film narrowband filter, the stack of 100GHz DWDM four cavities angle-tuned thin film filter has been designed and optimized. The two polarization modes’ central wavelengths of the thin film filter can be centered at the same one in oblique incidence, and it has a stable tuning range of 20nm without the phenomenon of polarization central wavelength separation. Using this kind of angle-tuned thin film filter and the polarization beam-splitters, the tuning range of the angle-tuned thin film filter can be further expanded due to the reason that it can transmit only the s-polarization light. In this paper we also developed a three-port bandpass tunable filter device with new structure, which tuning range can cover the whole C-band and its adjacent channel isolation degree is high. The experiments show that the three-port tunable filter has an effective tuning range of 33nm, and its adjacent channel isolation degree is more than 35dB. It has a bright application opportunity for its flexibility and effective performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is known that the degree of polarization of a light beam is, in general, different at different points in space. In this paper we show that there is a class of quasi-homogeneous sources which generate beams whose degree of polarization does not change as the beam propagates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In long-haul frequency-division-multiplexing (FDM) lightwave transmission systems, transmission characteristics are degraded by four-wave mixing (FWM) generated in optical fibers. To overcome this problem in equally spaced (ES) allocation, modified repeated unequally spaced (RUS) allocations such as equally spaced RUS (ERUS) and unequally spaced RUS (URUS) allocations have been already examined. Also, it has been shown that FWM noises are decreased by arranging the polarization states of the channels. In this paper, dependence of FWM noises on frequency allocations and polarization allocations is investigated. It is revealed that FWM noises are decreased in ES, RUS, ERUS, and URUS with alternating polarization allocations of the channels, and FWM noises are drastically reduced when light polarizations are perpendicularly crossed at both sides of the zero dispersion frequency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mode field profiles and polarization dependence in the CO2-laser-notched long period fiber gratings (LPFGs) were investigated in detail. Asymmetric field profile was demonstrated in the 2- and 3-dimensional far field patterns of the CO2-laser-notched LPFG, which experimentally verifies the previously-presented asymmetry of refractive index modulation within the cross section of the gratings. Polarization dependent loss (PDL) of the LPFG was measured via Mueller matrix method. The maximum PDL of 1.68dB and the maximum polarization extinction ratio of 1.07dB are observed in the LPFG. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this work, there are studied the photodetectors’ properties (photocurrent sign inverter) of a linear polarized radiation realized on the basis of anisotropic semiconductors. The photocurrent sign guiding is made by the changing of polarization plane of a linear polarized light wave. It was determined that the inversion point can be moved over the photon energy scale while applying an external displacement. It is shown in the work the influence of the light wave interference on the properties of the photodetector’s photosensibility. It was revealed the possibility of creating narrow band photodetectors with sensibility maximums suitable to be used in fiber optic communications. There had been analyzed some cases of using the guided photocurrent sign inverter in which the active elements are the p–n structures, Schottky diodes and twins. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Based on the temporarily and spatially mixed modulated polarization interference imaging spectrometer (TSMPIIS) developed by us, a novel model for obtaining interferogram and spectrum is proposed. The interference data arrays acquired with this model are analyzed, and the method for combining a series of interferograms at different moments is illuminated in detail. Furthermore, the interferograms of monochromatic light and polychromatic light obtained by TSMPIIS are processed. The satisfying interferogram and reconstructed spectrums show the superiority of this detection model, such as wide field of view, high detection sensitivity and high throughput, etc. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Polarization of SC generated by 80fs pulses of Ti:Sapphire laser strongly depends on the orientation of CaF2 plate with respect to the plane of polarization of the pump light. Intensity modulation of the broad blue-shifted wing of SC against crystal rotation for the polarization parallel and orthogonal to the polarization of the pump beam is observed with CaF2 and Sapphire. Observed modulation is due to evolution of the polarization state along the propagation distance in crystal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Detection depth and sampling volume of polarized light in highly turbid, cylindrically-shaped samples are estimated using pathlength distributions calculated from a polarization-sensitive Monte Carlo model. Due to defined ranges of the polarized light pathlength distribution, the estimated penetration depth and the interrogated volume of the polarization-maintaining photon subpopulation are smaller than those of the whole collected photon population, the latter exhibiting a wider pathlength distribution resulting from multiple scattering. It is also demonstrated that the spatial interrogation extent of polarized light in turbid media is greatly affected by the experimental detection geometry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nanocomposite films consisting of gold nanospheres or gold nanorods embedded in a silica matrix have been prepared using a hybrid deposition technique consisting of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of SiO2 and co-sputtering of gold, followed by annealing at 900°C. Subsequent irradiation with 30MeV heavy ions (Cu5+) was used to form gold nanorods. Linear and nonlinear optical properties of this material are closely related with the surface plasmon resonance in the visible. The nonlinear absorption coefficient (α 2@532nm) for the films containing gold nanospheres was measured by Z-scan and P-scan techniques, and it was found to be isotropic and equal to −4.8×10−2 cm/W. On the contrary, gold nanorods films exhibited two distinct surface plasmon resonance absorption bands giving rise to a strong anisotropic behavior, namely a polarization-dependent linear absorption and saturable absorption. Z-scan and P-scan measurements using various light polarization directions yielded nonlinear absorption coefficient (α 2@532nm) values varying from −0.9×10−2 cm/W up to −3.0×10−2 cm/W. Linearity of the P-scan method in the context of nanocomposite saturable absorption is also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We present results on the measurements of polarization dependent loss (PDL) of mechanically induced long-period fibre gratings. It is shown that a proper choice of the fabrication parameters leads to a considerable reduction of PDL values. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The performance of a widely tunable phase-based beamformer for phased array antennas using a new technique to cross-polarized the carrier and the sideband, in order to allow the phase control by means of a spatial light modulator, is experimentally demonstrated. The technique relies on the combination of single sideband amplitude modulation (SSB) using a Mach–Zehnder modulator (MZM) and birefringence (to cross-polarized the carrier and the sideband). The architecture has the potential of controlling multiple independent beams simultaneously. The beamformer feeds an eight elements array showing an insertion loss and a reset speed of around 12dB and 70ms, respectively. Far-field antenna patterns between 7.5GHz and 8.5GHz for nine elevation angles within a range of ±20° have been measured showing beam steering capability, amplitude distribution weighting as well as multibeam operation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nonlinear X-wave formation at different pulse powers in water is simulated using the standard model of nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE). It is shown that in near field X-shape originally emerges from the interplay between radial diffraction and optical Kerr effect. At relatively low power group-velocity dispersion (GVD) arrests the collapse and leads to pulse splitting on axis. With high enough power, multi-photon ionization (MPI) and multi-photon absorption (MPA) play great importance in arresting the collapse. The tailing part of pulse is first defocused by MPI and then refocuses. Pulse splitting on axis is a manifestation of this process. Double X-wave forms when the split sub-pulses are self-focusing. In the far field, the character of the central X structure of conical emission (CE) is directly related to the single or double X-shape in the near field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of polarization information for discrimination in imaging, especially of shiny surfaces or cracks in such surfaces, is well established. This paper seeks to explore the potential of just two of the four polarization parameters per pixel (horizontal and vertical components) for discrimination in a monochromatic image using a new method: conversion of the two monochrome images into a single pseudocolored image followed by the use of Artificial Color to segment the scene in terms of color. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is commonly admitted that radial polarization leads to the best light beam focalisation in terms of spot size. The work presented here shows that the choice of polarization is in fact more subtle. As an example, it is pointed out that, for numerical apertures of focusing systems below 0.8, circular polarization induces the best light confinements in air, whereas for numerical apertures beyond 0.8, radial polarization seems to be the right solution. Moreover, for numerical apertures larger than 1, we propose an original solution to achieve the ultimate focal spots in linear optical regime. They are estimated to 0.36λ/NA (λ is the wavelength and NA is the numerical aperture), the current technological limit being around 65nm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We examined pupil-plane polarization structures for high numerical-aperture objective lenses that generate light distributions at the focal volume similar to those produced by purely radial and azimuthal polarizations. The engineered structures can be dynamically generated with spatial light modulators without the need for additional moving parts in the optical system. Computer simulations show that the method can be considered a valuable addition to the tools available for controlling the interaction of light with matter at the focal region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: By introducing the notion of wavelength- and angle-averaged transmittance, we assess in a systematic way the possibility of achieving approximate omnidirectional antireflection in a wide spectral range by using double-layer systems. We also determine the optimum range of thicknesses for which this broadband omnidirectional antireflection occurs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We describe a new algorithm based on the level-crossing rate analysis of the POTDR trace which enables the distributed measurement of the beat length, the coupling length and the PMD in long optical fiber links. This analysis allows using 500ns pulses which significantly improves the measurement dynamic compared to classical POTDR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper addresses, theoretically and experimentally, the impact of the cross-polarization modulation (XPolM) phenomenon on the conversion efficiency of a four wave mixing (FWM) process taking place in a bulk-SOA with input signals linearly co-polarized at 0°, 45°, 90°, and −45°. Based on the experimental determination of the output polarization states of the pump and probe signals, a technique is proposed to incorporate the XPolM effect in classic models describing the FWM. It is demonstrated that classic models lacking the inclusion of the XPolM effect can reflect a significant error in the estimation of the conversion efficiency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We present a qualitative study of the subdiffractive light beam propagation in photonic crystals, based on the theoretical analysis of full Maxwell equation system beyond the slowly varying envelope and paraxial approximations. We calculate the zero diffraction curve in the parameter space, we calculate the weak asymptotical broadening (spreading in transverse direction), and we also analyze the dependence of subdiffractive propagation on the polarization orientation (both for TM and TE polarization). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We present experimental and numerical evidence of polarization selection in an isotropic CO2 laser achieved by means of an unpolarized optical feedback. This mechanism can be applied in situations where the direction of polarization plays a crucial role, including polarization coding. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a novel photonic crystal fibre (PCF) with high phase birefringence and very low group birefringence. It is composed of a solid silica core and a cladding with helix-pattern air holes. Using a full-vector finite-element method, we study the phase and group modal birefringence of such PCF at various air-hole sizes, pitches and wavelengths. Owing to this innovative structure of air holes, a high phase to group modal birefringence rate is obtained. Its phase modal birefringence is as large as 10−4 magnitude; however, the group modal birefringence of this PCF is at 10−7–10−6. The phase birefringence is 2 orders of magnitude larger than group birefringence over a broad wavelength span, which means that the light with different polarization and effective index has almost a same group velocity. As a result, the group modal birefringence that closely relates to the polarization modal dispersion is negligible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we have theoretically investigated the transmission performance of the optical millimeter (mm)-wave generated by using an external modulator based on optical carrier suppression for the first time. According to our theory, the data signals carried by the optical mm-wave are transmitted in the dispersion fiber without fading but are degraded greatly because of the time shift of the code edges, which still limits the transmission distance. The experimental results agree well with our theory. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The solution of a boundary-value problem for the reflection and transmission of obliquely incident plane waves due to a slab of a structurally chiral material (SCM) displaying the Pockels effect with a point group symmetry indicates the enhancement of circular Bragg phenomenon by the application of a dc voltage. The enhancement suggests that thinner SCMs can be used as devices such as polarization-rejection filters if the Pockels effect is exploited, for both normally and obliquely incident light. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The behavior of geometric phase elements illuminated with partially polarized monochromatic beams is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The element discussed in this paper is composed of wave plates with π-retardation and a space-variant orientation angle. We found that a beam emerging from such an element comprises two polarization orders; right-and left-handed circularly polarized states with conjugate geometric phase modification. This phase equals twice the orientation angle of the space-variant wave plate comprising the element. Apart from the two polarization orders, the emerging beam coherence polarization matrix includes a “vectorial interference matrix” which contains information concerning the correlation between the two orthogonal, circularly polarized portions of the incident beam. In this paper we measure this correlation by a simple interference experiment. In addition, we found that the equivalent mutual intensity of the emerging beam is modulated according to the geometric phase induced by the element. Other interesting phenomena concerning propagation will be discussed theoretically and demonstrated experimentally. The experiment made use of a spherical geometric phase element that was realized by use of a space-variant subwavelength grating illuminated with CO2 laser radiation of 10.6μm wavelength. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Display and illumination technology require light sources with angular independent emission behaviour. Conversely, a strongly angular dependent spectral emission can be desirable for other applications in information technology or spectroscopy. In order to elucidate the potential of organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) for the latter fields, we performed experimental and numerical studies of the angular dependent emission characteristics of cavity like OLEDs. The light generated in the organic multilayer structure and guided in leaky modes was coupled out by a prism. Here, a semitransparent gold anode, acting as a hole injection layer, was used to enhance the coupling of leaky modes guided inside the OLED to external modes (Kretschmann configuration). The observed light emission was strongly angle dependent, with the spectral emission peak of the device shifting from a wavelength of 680nm to 500nm as the angle is varied between 20° and 70° with respect to the normal of the substrate plane. Also, the emitted light shows a high degree of polarization. The observed behaviour can be predicted quantitatively by simulations, which are based on the transfer matrix formalism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, a novel configuration of LCD projectors for efficiently polarized stereoscopic projection with improved light efficiency is presented. In the proposed scheme, polarization orientations of the analyzers in the LCD engine of one projector are rotated by 90° with respect to those of the other one, so it causes to rotate orientations of polarized outputs by 90° as well as to change operational modes of LCD panels from the normally black mode to the normally white mode or vice versa. Then, by exchanging the green color components between the modified and original LCD projectors, two orthogonally polarized views for stereoscopic projection could be obtained without use of external polarizers. Analysis on the operational mode conversions of the LCD engines with rotation of the analyzers is discussed and its experimental results are provided. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: New expressions are derived that predict the change of spectral density, the spectral degree of coherence and spectral degree of polarization in Young’s interference pattern when the pinholes are illuminated by an electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-mode beam. The spectral degree of polarization in the observation plane is found, in general, to take on values different from its values at each pinhole, and it changes with position at the same spatial frequency, as does the spectral density. When the light at the pinholes is completely coherent, there are singular points in the pattern, at which the spectral degree of polarization reaches minimum value. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper focuses on the theory and practice of surface-relief holographic diffusers that can diffract scattered light forward or backward. Experimental results show that scattered light diffracted by a holographic diffuser usually possesses similar polarization to that of the incident light and that the phase range of light modulated by a diffuser must be not less than 360° for the diffuser not to produce specular transmission light. Supports for these phenomena are elaborated based on the diffraction theories of gratings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ambichiral layered structures can be designed to function reasonably well as rejection filters for elliptical polarization states, although the proposed design strategy is inadequate for linear and quasilinear polarization states. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We present a method to characterize the polarization state of a light field in the continuous-variable regime. Instead of using the abstract formalism of SU(2) quasidistributions, we model polarization as the superposition of two harmonic oscillators of the same angular frequency along two orthogonal axes, much in the classical way of dealing with this variable. By describing each oscillator by an s-parametrized quasidistribution, we derive in a consistent way the final function for the polarization. We compare with previous approaches and show how this formalism works in some relevant examples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Near field optical images depend strongly on the polarization of the incident and/or detected light. In this work, we propose a new metallized probe that exhibits a transmission enhancement in comparison with the classical one (metal coated probe with aperture). In addition, it acts as a nano-polarizer either in the detection or in the transmission modes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]