Generation of a spatially multiplexed perfect vortex beam for digital data transmission

Abstract

A perfect vortex beam (PVB) has emerged as a potential candidate for optical communication as its intensity profile remains invariant for different orbital angular momenta being carried by the beam. The present study proposes a simple technique to enhance the data handling capacity of the beam through its spatial multiplexing. The variation of the ring radius of the PVB under Fourier transformation, with different focal lengths, has been used to generate multiple PVBs of different annular radii, and then combined into a single beam to produce a concentric PVB (CPVB). Each ring may represent one bit of digital data. A simple experimental setup was used to generate the beam, which has also been validated through theoretical simulation. Further studies confirm that each ring of the CPVB has the same phase profile, with impeccable spatial alignment. Spatial multiplexing of the PVB adds an additional degree which can multiply the data handling capacity of the PVB, as a result of which it can prove to be a potential candidate for optical data transmission.