Full vector vortex beam based on multiple-degree-of-freedom modulation

Abstract We propose a full vector vortex beam (VVB) that can be modulated by the multiple-degree-of-freedom synthesis method. The proposed method has broad flexibility, which also has a useful applications in optical micromanipulation and trapping. In simulation, full VVB of different polarization orders is generated, and the polarization orientation detection is also analyzed. In experiment, both circular VVB with a central symmetric structure and chiral VVB with an asymmetric structure are realized, that are consistent with the simulations. The polarization order of both types of vortex beam can be arbitrarily adjustable and is independent of the orbital angular momentum value. Additionally, a chiral VVB with radial and azimuthal polarization can be constructed and its conventional energy distribution can be modulated by multiple focal synthesis. Based on the proposed method, we can implement the multiple-degree-of-freedom regulation of VVB, including polarization order, overall size, overall rotation, and energy distribution. The proposed vector beam has the potential to impact applications in optical tweezers, optical micromachining, holographic encryption and optical communication.