Generation and characterization of complex vector modes with digital micromirror devices: a tutorial

Abstract Complex vector light modes with a spatial variant polarization distribution have become topical of late, enabling the development of novel applications in numerous research fields. Key to this is the remarkable similarities they hold with quantum entangled states, which arises from the non-separability between the spatial and polarisation degrees of freedom (DoF). As such, the demand for diversification of generation methods and characterization techniques have increased dramatically. Here we put forward a comprehensive tutorial about the use of digital micromirrors devices (DMDs) in the generation and characterization of vector modes, providing details on the implementation of techniques that fully exploits the unsurpassed advantage of DMDs, such as their high refresh rates and polarisation independence. We start by briefly describing the operating principles of DMD and follow with a thorough explanation of some of the methods to shape arbitrary vector modes. Finally, we describe some techniques aiming at the real-time characterization of vector beams. This tutorial highlights the value of DMDs as an alternative tool for the generation and characterization of complex vector light fields, of great relevance in a wide variety of applications.