We theoretically propose the realization of a three-dimensional (3D) spin Hall effect (SHE) of light by tightly focusing a linearly polarized light. Owing to the spin-orbital interaction in focusing, the left and right circularly polarized components of light are partly converted into each other, acquiring opposite vortex phases. As the superposition of the vortex and the initial vortex-free light, the two polarized components exhibit spiral intensity patterns which rotate oppositely around the propagation axis. Consequently, the two spin components are distributed alternatively in both the azimuthal and the longitudinal directions, leading to a 3D array of split spin components, and the transverse intensity is also spit asynchronously. Moreover, that array is rotatable by the incident polarization, and the longitudinal spacing in the array can be controlled by the numerical aperture of the lens. The 3D SHE of light finds an additional degree of freedom available to control the spin state of the photon, which may be valuable in optical manipulation and quantum information.

• Received 18 December 2019
• Accepted 24 January 2020

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.101.023819