Simple Coherent Polarization Manipulation Scheme for Generating High Power Radially Polarized Beam

We present a simple novel scheme that converts a Gaussian beam into an approximated radially polarized beam using coherent polarization manipulation together with Poynting walk-off in birefringent crystals. Our scheme alleviates the interferometric stability required by previous schemes that implemented this coherent mode summation using Mach-Zehnder-like interferometers. A symmetrical arrangement of two walk-off crystals with a half-wave plate, allows coherence control even when the laser has short temporal coherence length. We generated 14 watts of radially polarized beam from an Ytterbium fiber laser, only limited by the available fiber laser power.Comment: Submitting for publicatio

Interference and the lossless lossy beam splitter

By directing the input light into a particular mode it is possible to obtain as output all of the input light for a beam splitter that is 50% absorbing. This effect is also responsible for nonlinear quantum interference when two photons are incident on the beam splitter.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, to appear in J. Mod. Op

Summary of Experimental Meson Physics

A summary of the present experimental status of meson physics is presented. The presentation includes the new results presented at the MESON06 workshop, as well as other recent experimental developments in the field.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, presented at 9th International Workshop on Meson Production, Properties and Interaction, Krakow, Poland, June 200