Rotation of the plane of a meridional beam in a graded-index waveguide due to the circular nature of the polarization

An effect involving rotation of the plane of a meridional beam in a graded-index waveguide due to the circular nature of the polarization is predicted and calculated. This changes sign when the circular polarization changes from right-handed to left-handed. In view of its small magnitude, the effect is generally masked by diffraction spreading although this may be eliminated by using a parabolic-profile optical waveguide.