Evolution of the polarization state and OAM-resolved polarization of full Poincaré beams propagating in the atmosphere

Area of Science:

• Quantum optics and photonics
• Atmospheric optics and turbulence effects
• Light polarization and orbital angular momentum (OAM)

Background:

• Full Poincaré beams (FPBs) possess unique polarization and spatial characteristics.
• Atmospheric turbulence significantly distorts light beam propagation, affecting polarization.
• Understanding FPB behavior in turbulence is crucial for optical communication and sensing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the polarization characteristics of FPBs during atmospheric turbulence propagation.
• To analyze the impact of turbulence on Stokes parameters and degree of polarization.
• To develop analytical solutions for beam propagation and explore OAM mode correlations.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of analytical solutions for the cross-spectral density matrix and COAM matrix.
• Detailed study of polarization state, degree of polarization, and OAM-resolved parameters.
• OAM mode analysis to reveal selection rules for mode correlations in turbulent media.

Main Results:

• FPB polarization distribution remains a stereographic projection of the Poincaré sphere, with a turbulence-independent rotation angle.
• A selection rule governing correlations between OAM modes in turbulent FPBs is identified.
• OAM-resolved Stokes parameters and degree of polarization show diverse evolution patterns due to turbulence.

Conclusions:

• FPBs exhibit robust polarization characteristics in atmospheric turbulence, with predictable rotational behavior.
• The identified OAM mode selection rule provides insights into turbulence-induced correlations.
• The findings are significant for applications relying on polarization and OAM properties of light in atmospheric conditions.