Vector erf-Gaussian beams: fractional optical vortices and asymmetric TE and TM modes.

We have considered the paraxial vector erf-Gaussian beams with field distribution in the form of the error function that are shaped by the cone of plane waves with a fractional step of the azimuthal phase distribution modulated by the Gaussian envelope. We have revealed that the initial distributions of the transverse electric and transverse magnetic fields have a far from standard form but at the far diffraction field the field distributions recover nearly the symmetric form.

Subwave spikes of the orbital angular momentum of the vortex beams in a uniaxial crystal.

We have theoretically predicted gigantic spikes of orbital angular momentum caused by conversion processes of the centered optical vortex in the circularly polarized components of an elliptic vortex beam propagating perpendicularly to the crystal optical axis. We have experimentally observed the conversion process inside subwave deviations of the crystal length. We have found that the total orbital angular momentum of the wave beam is conserved.

Natural shaping of the cylindrically polarized beams.

We have experimentally and theoretically shown that the circularly polarized beam bearing a singly charged optical vortex propagating through a uniaxial crystal can be split after focusing into the radially and azimuthally polarized beams in the vicinity of the focal area provided that the polarization handedness and the vortex topological charge have opposite signs.

Indistinguishability limit for off-axis vortex beams in uniaxial crystals.

The circular polarization components of a vortex beam in a uniaxial crystal exhibit complex propagation characteristics. We demonstrate how the amount of splitting may be distinguished by use of a vortex beam. We predict and experimentally verify a threshold angle subtending the crystal and beam axes, below which the splitting is indistinguishable.