Chinese Optics Letters, Volume. 23, Issue 6, (2025)
Generation of arbitrary vector vortex beams on the hybrid-order Poincaré sphere from cholesteric liquid crystals [Early Posting]
In this letter, by exploiting the spin to orbital angular momentum conversion capability and the polarization selectivity characteristic of cholesteric liquid crystal planar optical elements, an approach of combing two cholesteric liquid crystal layers with opposite handedness and independent surface patterns is proposed and investigated for generating arbitrary vector vortex beams on the hybrid-order Poincaré sphere. Furthermore, the intensity profiles and polarization distributions of typical vector vortex beams are experimentally demonstrated and analyzed, which show good agreement with the theoretical prediction. The approach also suggests its advantages of operating light in the polychromatic spectral region of Bragg reflection. Our method presents a simple and direct way in phase and polarization manipulation, which also provides promising opportunities for developing advanced applications in structured light, high-resolution imaging, and information processing.