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We describe a novel approach for generating light beams that carry orbital angular momentum (OAM) by means of total internal reflection in an isotropic medium. A continuous space-varying cylindrically symmetric reflector, in the form of \textit{two glued hollow axicons}, is used to introduce a nonuniform rotation of polarisation into a linearly polarised input beam. This device acts as a full spin-to-orbital angular momentum convertor. It functions by switching the helicity of the incoming beam's polarisation, and by conservation of total angular momentum thereby generates a well-defined value of OAM. Our device is broadband, since the phase shift due to total internal reflection is nearly independent of wavelength. We verify the broad-band behaviour by measuring the conversion efficiency of the device for three different wavelengths corresponding to the RGB colours, red, green and blue. An average conversion efficiency of $95\%$ for these three different wavelengths is observed. %, which confirms its wavelength independence. This device may be used to generate a white vector vortex beam, as we show, and may find applications in imaging from micro- to astronomical systems where a white vortex beam is needed.
15 pages, 6 figures and 1 table
20.00, 42.10, Science, Physics, QC1-999, total internal reflection, Q, FOS: Physical sciences, 00.00, 530, light orbital angular momentum, spin angular momentum, Physics - Optics, Optics (physics.optics)
20.00, 42.10, Science, Physics, QC1-999, total internal reflection, Q, FOS: Physical sciences, 00.00, 530, light orbital angular momentum, spin angular momentum, Physics - Optics, Optics (physics.optics)
citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 35 | |
popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |