Generating optical vortex beams by momentum-space polarization vortices centred at bound states in the continuum

Optical vortices, beams with spiral wavefronts and screw phase dislocations, have been attracting increasing interest in various fields. Here, we theoretically propose and experimentally realize an easy approach to generating optical vortices. We leverage the inherent momentum-space topological vortex-like response of polarization (strong polarization anisotropy) around bound states in the continuum of two-dimensional periodic structures, for example photonic crystal slabs, to induce Pancharatnam–Berry phases and spin–orbit interaction in the beams. This new class of optical vortex generators operates in momentum space, meaning that the structure is almost homogeneous without a real-space centre. In principle, any even-order optical vortex that is a diffraction-resistant high-order quasi-Bessel beam can be achieved at any desired working wavelength. The proposed approach expands the application of bound states in the continuum and topological photonics. Optical vortices can be generated by applying the winding behaviour of resonances in the momentum space of a photonic crystal slab, which naturally exists and is associated with bound states in the continuum, to modify the phase front of a beam.