Coiled Light in Image Rotation

Geometric Phase also manifests in the rotation of images. If an image-bearing optical beam is sent in a three-dimesional path the image gets rotated, This rotation is due to the topology of the path. This was first discovered by Segev, Solomon and Yariv [Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 590 (1992).] It has interesting consequences. The image seen in the endoscopes can be rotated by coiling the cable. All of the image rotation operations done by the wide variety of prisms available can be understood in simple terms using geometric phase. An article describing the theory and experiments of the geometric phase of image-bearing optical beams via reflections is:

• "Geometric Phase of Optical Rotators," E.J. Galvez and C.D. Holmes, Journal of the Optical Society of America, 16, 1981- 1985 (1999). Reprints available.

Dove and Porro prisms can be understood with this new concept.

Chris Holmes (Norwich Highschool-- now a graduate of Williams College) was instrumental in the development and testing of this theory (summer 1998).

Initial stages of the work described above were presented at the 1998 OSA Meeting in Baltimore:

• "Design of Pure Rotators of Image and Polarization Using Geometric Phase," E.J. Galvez and M.R. Cheyne (in the poster presentation we also listed J. Stewart as co-author), Conference Program p160-161 (1998).

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