Observation of vector vortex lattices in polarization states of an isotropic microcavity laser

Abstract

We experimentally investigate the formation of a vector polarization pattern from an isotropic microcavity laser. It is found that the orthogonal components of the observed pattern are localized on the geometrical rays. The connection between eigenfunctions and geometrical rays is analytically constructed by using the SU(2) coherent states. With the analytical function form, the observed vector pattern is completely reconstructed and the vector vortex lattice is apparent.