Generation of a vectorial Mathieu-like hollow beam with a periodically rotated polarization property

We propose a promising and practical scheme to generate a vectorial Mathieu-like hollow beam (vMHB) by using an axicon optical system including a dual-mode elliptic hollow fiber (EHF), and calculate the intensity and polarization distributions of the beam and its fractional orbital angular momentum (OAM). We also fit its intensity profile and obtain suitable theoretical expressions to describe three-dimensional (3D) propagation characteristics of such a Mathieu-like hollow beam. Our study shows that the generated beam is a vMHB within the propagation distance 1:2 - 2:2m, which has an unchanged (diffraction-free) intensity profile and periodically rotated polarization properties as well as an unchanged fractional OAM within 1:2 - 2:2m. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America.