Spin-Orbit Conversion in Vector Optical Vortices in the Paraxial Approximation

Abstract

In this work, spin-orbit conversion in a vector optical vortex will be considered. The polarization in such a beam corresponds to the polarization of a cylindrical vector beam, that is, it is initially linear at each point. It is shown numerically and analytically using the Richards-Wolf formalism that zones with non-zero longitudinal spin angular momentum are formed in the focal spot, i.e. zones with elliptical polarization. It has been experimentally shown that for the case when the topological charge of the optical vortex coincides with the order of the beam, the observed spin-orbit conversion is large enough to be recorded in the paraxial approximation.