Optical Vortices|6 Article(s)
Optical vortex copier and regenerator in the Fourier domain
Xiaodong Qiu, Fangshu Li, Haigang Liu, Xianfeng Chen, and Lixiang Chen
The generation and manipulation of optical vortices are of fundamental importance in a variety of promising applications. Here, we develop a nonlinear optical paradigm to implement self- and cross-convolution of optical vortex arrays, demonstrating the features of a vortex copier and regenerator. We use a phase-only spatial light modulator to prepare the 1064 nm invisible fundamental light to carry special optical vortex arrays and use a potassium titanyl phosphate crystal to perform type II second-harmonic generation in the Fourier domain to achieve 532 nm visible structured vortices. Based on pure cross-convolution, we succeed in copying arbitrary-order single vortices as well as their superposition states onto a prearranged array of fundamental Gaussian spots. Also, based on the simultaneous effect of self- and cross-convolutions, we can expand the initial vortex lattices to regenerate more vortices carrying various higher topological charges. Our presented method of realizing an optical vortex copier and regenerator could find direct applications in optical manipulation, optical imaging, optical communication, and quantum information processing with structured vortex arrays.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: May. 24, 2018
  • Vol. 6, Issue 6, 06000641 (2018)
Efficient separating orbital angular momentum mode with radial varying phase
Cheng Li, and Shengmei Zhao
It is shown that orbital angular momentum (OAM) is a promising new resource in future classical and quantum communications. However, the separation of OAM modes is still a big challenge. In this paper, we propose a simple and efficient separation method with a radial varying phase. In the method, specific radial varying phases are designed and modulated for different OAM modes. The resultant beam is focused to the spots with different horizontal and vertical positions after a convex lens, when the coordinate transformation, including two optical elements with coordinate transformation phase and correct phase, operates on the received beam. The horizontal position of the spot is determined by the vortex phases, and the vertical position of the spot is dependent on the radial varying phases. The simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method is feasible both for separation of two OAM modes and separation of three OAM modes. The proposed separation method is available in principle for any neighboring OAM modes because the radial varying phase is controlled. Additionally, no extra instruments are introduced, and there is no diffraction and narrowing process limitation for the separation.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Jun. 06, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 4, 04000267 (2017)
Non-probe compensation of optical vortices carrying orbital angular momentum
Shiyao Fu, Tonglu Wang, Shikun Zhang, Zheyuan Zhang, Yanwang Zhai, and Chunqing Gao
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: May. 24, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 3, 03000251 (2017)
Polarization evolution of vector beams generated by q-plates
Weixing Shu, Xiaohui Ling, Xiquan Fu, Yachao Liu, Yougang Ke, and Hailu Luo
The polarization evolution of vector beams (VBs) generated by q-plates is investigated theoretically and experimentally. An analytical model is developed for the VB created by a general quarter-wave q-plate based on vector diffraction theory. It is found that the polarization distribution of VBs varies with position and the value q. In particular, for the incidence of circular polarization, the exit vector vortex beam has polarization states that cover the whole surface of the Poincaré sphere, thereby constituting a full Poincaré beam. For the incidence of linear polarization, the VB is not cylindrical but specularly symmetric, and exhibits an azimuthal spin splitting. These results are in sharp contrast with those derived by the commonly used model, i.e., regarding the incident light as a plane wave. By implementing q-plates with dielectric metasurfaces, further experiments validate the theoretical results.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 09, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 02000064 (2017)
Arbitrary and reconfigurable optical vortex generation: a high-efficiency technique using director-varying liquid crystal fork gratings
[in Chinese], [in Chinese], [in Chinese], [in Chinese], [in Chinese], [in Chinese], [in Chinese], and [in Chinese]
A high-efficiency technique for optical vortex (OV) generation is proposed and demonstrated. The technique is based on liquid crystal fork gratings with space-variant azimuthal orientations, which are locally controlled via polarization-sensitive alignment layers. Thanks to the optical rewritability of the alignment agent and the dynamic image generation of the digital micro-mirror device, fork gratings can be instantly and arbitrarily reconfigured. Corresponding optical vortices carrying arbitrary azimuthal and radial indices are demonstrated with a conversion efficiency of 98.5%, exhibiting features of polarization control and electrical switching. The technique may pave a bright road toward OV generation, manipulation, and detection.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Jun. 05, 2015
  • Vol. 3, Issue 4, 04000133 (2015)
Scintillations of optical vortex in randomly inhomogeneous medium
Valerii P., and Valeriy V.
The comparative numerical and analytical analysis of scintillation indices of the vortex Laguerre–Gaussian beam and the nonvortex doughnut hole and Gaussian beams propagating in the randomly inhomogeneous atmosphere has been performed. It has been found that the dependence of the scintillation index at the axis of the optical vortex on the turbulence intensity at the path has the form of a unit step. It has been shown that the behavior of scintillations in the cross sections of vortex and nonvortex beams differs widely. Despite the scintillation index of vortex beams has been calculated only for the simplest LG10 mode, the obtained results are quite general, because they demonstrate the main properties inherent in scintillations of vortex beams of any type.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Mar. 17, 2015
  • Vol. 3, Issue 2, 02000044 (2015)
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