Describing Polarization States of Photon Vortices

ORAL

Abstract

Electromagnetic waves with large values of Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) along their direction of propagation were demonstrated in a broad range wavelengths, from radio to optical. Photons with large OAM, or "twisted photons" can be generated with higher energies in helical undulators or via Compton backscattering. Description of the polarization states of such photons will be a subject of this talk. In particular, we consider representing twisted-photon polarization with Poincare sphere, Majorana sphere, and Dalitz plots, and discuss advantages for each approach.

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Authors

  • Andrei Afanasev

    George Washington University, Department of Physics, The George Washington University, 725 21st St. NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA, Department of Physics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA

  • Dartagnan Howell

    George Washington University