Coherence-induced Polarization Effects in Vector Vortex Beams

We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally coherence-induced polarization changes in generic and higher-order vector vortex beams with polarization singularity. The prominent depolarization on decreasing transverse correlation-width in focused partially coherent vector vortex beam provides a means to shape the intensity profile and the degree of polarization (DOP) while preserving the polarization distribution. The intensity variation and DOP-dip are found to be dependent on the polarization singularity index of the beam. Our results may provide an additional degree of freedom in the myriad of applications presently projected with various types of vector vortex beams.