Measuring singularities of cylindrically structured light beams using a radial grating

Optical singularities, including phase and polarization singularities that are prevalent in vortex beams, cylindrical vector beams, and cylindrical vector vortex beams, were widely investigated in the past few decades because of their physical and application interest. Here, we propose a method for measuring the singularities within these cylindrically structured light beams by using a radial grating (RG), which is fabricated by etching patterns on the chrome plated soda-lime glass and exhibits a broadband performance. We demonstrate the versatility and compatibility of the measuring method by obtaining the topological charge and polarization order that characterize the phase and polarization singularity, respectively. The reliability of the RG was also inspected by analyzing the grating period and the illumination location of the input field on it. Published by AIP Publishing.