Tailoring propagation of light via spin-orbit interactions in correlated disorder

Abstract

Based on the fundamental interplay between spatial wavefronts and polarization degrees of freedom, spin-orbit interactions (SOI) of light constitute a novel tool for optical control at the nanoscale. While well described in simple geometries, SOI of light in disordered environments, where only a partial knowledge of the material's microscopy is available, remain largely unexplored. Here, we show that in transversally random media, the disorder correlation can be exploited to tailor a variety of trajectories for ballistic beams via SOI. In particular, we unveil the existence of an oscillating spin Hall effect, stemming from the deformation of the phase of the wavefront due to SOI. In combination with a weak measurement, this phenomenon can also be maximized by an optimal choice of the disorder correlation.

5 pages, 4 figures

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