Study on the change of the character of Imbert-Fedorov optical beam shift: spatial and angular shifts

Optical beam shifts appear due to diffractive corrections when the beam experiences any tilted interface. Imbert-Fedorov (IF) beam shift is one of such shifts causing transverse deflection of the beam. Taking an example of partial reflection, we study the nature of IF beam shifts, i.e., angular and spatial shifts in different regions of the corresponding parameter space. The different regions of the parameter space showing angular and spatial shifts are demarcated with the possible origin of the corresponding shifts. The transition from spatial to angular shift is discussed. These observations might help to understand the origin of IF shift in more clarity and find connections to other domains of physics.