Spin-dependent transverse force on a vortex light beam in an inhomogeneous medium

Abstract

Spin-dependent effects on vortex light beams propagating in an inhomogeneous medium are demonstrated by solving the full three-component field Maxwell equations using the perturbation analysis. It is found that the hybrid Laguerre–Gauss modes with polarization-orbital angular momentum (OAM) entanglement are the vector solutions of the Maxwell equations in a graded-index medium. Focusing of linearly and circularly polarized vortex light beams in a cylindrical graded-index medium is investigated. It is shown that the vortex light beam undergoes an additional transverse force acting differently on circular polarized beams with opposite handedness. The wave shape variation with distance taking into account the spin–orbit and nonparaxial effects is analyzed. Effect of long-term periodical revival of wave packets due to mode interference in a graded-index cylindrical optical waveguide is demonstrated.