Accelerating polarization structures in vectorial fields.

We generate optical fields whose polarization structures not only rotate about their propagation axis but also can be controlled to accelerate independently from their spatial profile. We show that by combining accelerated intensity transport with orthogonal polarization states, we can produce a vector beam that displays optical activity with periodical acceleration and deceleration of the Stokes vector during propagation. We achieve this with orthogonal, scalar fields, represented by weighted superpositions of oppositely charged Bessel beams. In addition to their creation, we show that the Stokes vector can be made to accelerate or decelerate at specific locations along the Poincaré sphere by tailoring the generating basis. We also witness an optical current, or intensity transport, between local positions in the field that corresponds with the occurrence of the state-of-polarization accelerating or decelerating.