Polarization singularities in superposition of orthogonally polarized LG beams of opposite topological charge

Abstract

Polarization is a fundamental property of light, describing the oscillation direction of its electric field vector. While homogeneous polarization states are well understood, inhomogeneously polarized beams exhibit complex spatial variations in polarization, making their characterization and generation an area of significant research interest. In this study, we demonstrate the controlled generation of inhomogeneously polarized beams by superposing two orthogonally polarized Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams with equal but opposite topological charge. The resulting polarization distribution was analyzed using Stokes parameters, revealing the presence of polarization singularities, specifically L-line and C-point singularities. Our experimental results confirmed that the C-points follow an azimuthal arrangement with alternating handedness, and their number is simply defined by the topological charge of superposing beams. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of structured light and polarization singularities, with potential applications in optical communication.