Demonstration of spatially inhomogeneous vector beams with elliptical symmetry

We experimentally demonstrate vector beams having an elliptical symmetry of polarization, breaking the cylindrical symmetry of vector beams (e.g., radially polarized beams). Applications of such beams vary from material processing, lithography, and optical memories to excitation of elliptically shaped nanoparticles and plasmonic structures. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America