Geometry of phase and polarization singularities illustrated by edge diffraction and the tides

Michael V. Berry

doi:10.1117/12.428252

30 May 2001 Geometry of phase and polarization singularities illustrated by edge diffraction and the tides

Michael V. Berry

Proceedings Volume 4403, Second International Conference on Singular Optics (Optical Vortices): Fundamentals and Applications; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.428252
Event: Singular Optics 2000: Fundamentals and Applications of Optical Vortices, 2000, Crimea, Ukraine

Abstract

In complex scalar fields, singularities of the phase (optical vortices, wavefront dislocations) are lines in space, or points in the plane, where the wave amplitude vanishes. Phase singularities are illustrated by zeros in edge diffraction and amphidromies in the heights of the tides. In complex vector waves, there are two sorts of polarization singularity. The polarization is purely circular on lines in space or points in the plane (C singularities); these singularities have index +/- 1/2. The polarization is purely linear on lines in space for general vector fields, and surfaces in space or lines in the plane for transverse fields (L singularities); these singularities have index +/- 1. Polarization singularities (C points and L lines) are illustrated in the pattern of tidal currents.

Citation Download Citation

Michael V. Berry "Geometry of phase and polarization singularities illustrated by edge diffraction and the tides", Proc. SPIE 4403, Second International Conference on Singular Optics (Optical Vortices): Fundamentals and Applications, (30 May 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.428252

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