• Photonics Research
  • Vol. 11, Issue 10, 1723 (2023)
Zi-Wen Zhang1、2, Yu-Lu Lei1、2, Juan-Feng Zhu3, and Chao-Hai Du1、2、*
Author Affiliations
  • 1Center for Carbon-based Electronics, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
  • 2State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
  • 3Science, Mathematics, and Technology (SMT), Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore 487372, Singapore
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    DOI: 10.1364/PRJ.497533 Cite this Article Set citation alerts
    Zi-Wen Zhang, Yu-Lu Lei, Juan-Feng Zhu, Chao-Hai Du, "Plasmonic vortex beam emitter," Photonics Res. 11, 1723 (2023) Copy Citation Text show less

    Abstract

    Terahertz vortices prompt numerous advanced applications spanning classical and quantum communications, sensing, and chirality-based detection, owing to the inherent physical properties of terahertz waves and orbital angular momentum (OAM). Nonetheless, existing methodologies for generating terahertz vortices face challenges such as unalterable topological charges and intricate feed networks. To address these limitations, we propose a novel approach to generate multi-mode and tunable vortex beams based on chiral plasmons. Through eigenmode analysis, the uniform helical gratings are demonstrated to support chiral plasmons carrying OAM. By leveraging their vortex characteristics and introducing modulation into the periodic system, these chiral plasmons are alternatively diffracted into high-purity vortex radiations according to the Bragg law. To validate the theory, the vortex beam emitter is fabricated and measured in the microwave regime based on the modulated scheme. Experimental results confirm the emission of vortex beams with desirable phase distributions and radiation patterns. Our findings highlight the potential of chiral plasmons as seeds for tunable and compact vortex radiation, offering promising applications in tunable vortex sources.
    Ekz(r,φ,z)=ejkzz·ukz(r,φ,z),

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    ukz(r,φ,z)=ukz(r,φ,z+κd),κZ,

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    ukz(r,φ,z)=ukz(r,φ+l·2π,z),lZ.

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    ukz(r,φ,z)=R(r)l=Aφlejlφκ=Azκejκ2πdz,

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    Ekz(r,φ,z)=R(r)l=Aφlejlφκ=Azκej(kz+κ2πd)z,

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    Aφl·Azκ=02π0dukz(r,φ,z)R(r)  ejlφejκ2πdzdφdz.

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    Δφ=Δz2πd·G,

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    ukz(r0,φ0,z0)=ukz(r0,φ0+Δφ,z0+Δz)=ukz(r0,φ0+Δz2πd·G,z0+Δz).

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    R(r0)l=Aφ0lejlφ0κ=Az0κejκ2πdz0=R(r0)l=Aφ0lejlφ0κ=Az0κejκ2πdz0·ej2πd(lGκ)Δz.

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    {κ=lG,Aφ0l0,Az0κ0κlG,Aφ0l=0,Az0κ=0.

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    Ekz(r,φ,z)=m=Fl(r)ejlφej(kz+lG2πd)z,

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    Ez=l=τl2AlKl(τlr)ejlφej(kz+lG2πd)z,

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    BU=l=AlKl(τlr)ejlφej(kz+lG2πd)z.

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    Wm=Pml=Pl,

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    Pl(ρ,z)=1Nn=1NQ(ρ,φn,z)ejlφn,

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    Q(ρ,φn,z)=R(Ez)+jI(Ez).

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    Ez,(m,kz0)0=τm2AmKm(τmr)ejmφejkz0z,mZ,0<L2π·kz0<2,

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    ω(l,kz)=ω(l+N·G,kz+N2πd)=ω(l+N·G,kz+N·G·2πL),

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    ω(l+2N,kz+2N·2πL)=ω(l,kz).

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    Ez,(m,kz2N)2N=τm2AmKm(τmr)ejlφejkz2Nz,2N<L2π·kz2N<2(N+1),

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    Ez,(m,kz0)0=τm2AmKm(τmr)ejmφejkz0z·Z(φ,z),0<L2π·kz0<2,

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    {Z(φ,z)=Z(φ,z+n·L),nZ,Z(φ,z)=Z(φ+n·2π,z),Z(φ,z)=Z(φ+Δφ,z+Δz)=Z(φ+Δz2πL,z+Δz),

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    Z(φ,z)=n=Bnejnφejn2πLz,

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    Bn=02π0LZ(φ,z)ejnφejn2πdzdφdz.

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    Ez,(m,n,kz0)0=n=τm2AmBnKm(τmr)ejlφejkznz,n<L2π·kzn<n+2,

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    l=m+n.

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    Ez,(m,n,kzN)N=n=τm2AmBnKm(τmr)ejlφejkzn+Nz,n+N<L2π·kzn+N<n+N+2,

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    l=m+n+N,

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    l=m1.

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    Ez,(m,1,kz0)0=n=τm2AmBnKm(τmr)ej(m1)φejkz1z,1<L2π·kz1<+1.

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    Zi-Wen Zhang, Yu-Lu Lei, Juan-Feng Zhu, Chao-Hai Du, "Plasmonic vortex beam emitter," Photonics Res. 11, 1723 (2023)
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