Spin-orbit interactions in optically active materials

Abstract

We investigate the inherent influence of light polarization on the intensity distribution in anisotropic media undergoing a local inhomogeneous rotation of the principal axes. Whereas in general such configuration implies a complicated interaction between geometric and dynamic phase, we show that, in a medium showing an inhomogeneous circular birefringence, the geometric phase vanishes. Due to the spin-orbit interaction, the two circular polarizations perceive reversed spatial distribution of the dynamic phase. Based upon this effect, polarization-selective lens, waveguides and beam deflectors are proposed.