Abstract
We develop analytical model for statistically stationary sources that radiate beam-like far fields with polarization properties separately controllable in both radial and azimuthal variables. In particular, we demonstrate that for a suitable choice of source parameters a vortex-like far-field distribution of the degree of polarization (DOP) can be obtained. Furthermore, we report the experimental generation of such sources using an optical setup with Mach-Zehnder interferometer having two independent spatial light modulators in its branches. The experimental results agree well with the theoretical predictions. The new class of sources may find uses in imaging, communication and sensing applications based on source polarization diversity.
