Generation of nearly 3D-unpolarized evanescent optical near fields using total internal reflection

Opt Lett. 2016 Jul 1;41(13):2942-5. doi: 10.1364/OL.41.002942.

Abstract

We analyze the time-domain partial polarization of optical fields composed of two evanescent waves created in total internal reflection by random electromagnetic beams with orthogonal planes of incidence. We show that such a two-beam configuration enables to generate nearly unpolarized, genuine three-component (3D) near fields. This result complements earlier studies on spectral polarization, which state that at least three symmetrically propagating beams are required to produce a 3D-unpolarized near field. The degree of polarization of the near field can be controlled by adjusting the polarization states and mutual correlation of the incident beams.