Vector erf-Gaussian beams: fractional optical vortices and asymmetric TE and TM modes.

We have considered the paraxial vector erf-Gaussian beams with field distribution in the form of the error function that are shaped by the cone of plane waves with a fractional step of the azimuthal phase distribution modulated by the Gaussian envelope. We have revealed that the initial distributions of the transverse electric and transverse magnetic fields have a far from standard form but at the far diffraction field the field distributions recover nearly the symmetric form.

Topological activity in Bragg elliptical twisted fibers.

We have theoretically shown that Bragg twisted elliptical fibers manifest, in certain spectral regions, the property of topological activity--the ability to change in the reflected field the topological charge of incoming optical vortices and fundamental modes by two units. This property could be used for narrowband generation of optical vortices from Gaussian beams and for changing the topological charge of incoming optical vortices.

Rotational spin Hall effect in a uniaxial crystal.

We have considered the propagation process of the phase-matched array of singular beams through a uniaxial crystal. We have revealed that local beams in the array are rotated when propagating. However the right and left rotations are unequal.

Engineering of the space-variant linear polarization of vortex-beams in biaxially induced crystals.

We considered the propagation of Bessel beams through the biaxially induced birefringent crystal implemented by the mechanical torsion of the uniaxial crystal around its optical axis. Analyzing the solutions to the wave equation in the form of eigenmodes, we found that the system enables us to convert the beams with a uniform distribution of the linear polarization at the beam cross section into radially, azimuthally, and spirally polarized beams. Moreover, we revealed that the above system permits us to convert the beams with the space-variant linear polarization in accordance with the rule -s⇄s+1, where s is the topological index of the centered polarization singularity.

Generation and conversion of optical vortices in long-period twisted elliptical fibers.

We theoretically demonstrate that long-period twisted elliptical fibers have the ability to change in a certain wavelength range the topological charge of the incoming field by two units. We also show that such fibers can generate charge-2 optical vortices from the incoming Gaussian beams.