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Theory for the control of dark rays by means of discrete symmetry diffractive elements

We present an analytical theory that describes the disintegration of a highly charged phase singularity by the presence of a thin discrete symmetry diffractive element, i.e., an optical diffractive element possessing rotational symmetry of finite order. The process is described in terms of dark rays, defined as the trajectories where there is no light, i.e., those for which the complex optical field vanishes. We provide explicit analytical expressions for the equations that describe the dark ray trajectories. We show that dark rays follow straight line trajectories asymptotically, like ordinary rays, but with properties which differ in essential features with respect to their bright counterparts. We finally analyze the manipulation and routing of phase singularities using controlled illumination and the structure of the discrete symmetry diffractive element.