Generation Of Vortex Beams Research Articles

Dual perfect vectorial vortex beam generation with a single spin-multiplexed metasurface

Perfect optical vortex beams (POVBs) carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) possess annular intensity profiles that are independent of the topological charge. Unlike POVBs, perfect vectorial vortex beams (PVVBs) not only carry orbital angular momentum but also exhibit spin angular momentum (SAM). By incorporating a Dammann vortex grating (DVG) on an all-dielectric metasurface, we demonstrate an approach to create a pair of PVVBs on a hybrid-order Poincaré sphere. Benefiting flexible phase modulation, by engineering the DVG and changing the input-beam state we are able to freely tailor the topological OAM and polarization eigenstates of the output PVVBs. This work demonstrates a versatile flat-optics platform for high-quality PVVB generation and may pave the way for applications in optical communication and quantum information processing.

Polarization and frequency multiplexed multi-channel focusing terahertz vortex with a birefringent dielectric metasurface

We propose an approach to generate polarization and frequency multiplexed focusing vortex beams using a birefringent dielectric metasurface in terahertz (THz) range. The designed metadevice consists of Si nanopillars with different sizes. The transmission efficiency of each unit cell under orthogonal polarized illumination can exceed 70% at both operating frequencies 1 THz and 1.2 THz. Combining the functions of beam deflection, focusing, and vortex beam generation in the interference holography design strategy, polarization and frequency multiplexed multi-channel focusing THz vortex beams with different topological charges and generation positions can be achieved, which can greatly improve the transmission capacity of THz communications. Combining its compact and efficient features with multiplexing methods, our designed metadevice has enormous potential for application in THz vortex generation and information processing.

Generation of optical vortex beams with bandwidth exceeding 550 nm using a helical fiber needle exhibiting strong mode coupling.

A strong-coupling helical fiber needle (HFN) is proposed and demonstrated for the realization of bandwidth-enhanced broadband optical vortex beam (OVB) generation. The HFN is based on a single mode fiber and operates at the dispersion-turning-point (DTP) of the lowest radial order of the cladding mode (i.e., LP11) but with a remarkably high mode coupling efficiency. By utilizing this novel, to the best of our knowledge, HFN, successful generation of the first-order OVB with an impressive bandwidth up to 556 nm at -10 dB and a center wavelength of ∼1570 nm has been achieved. This represents the broadest bandwidth demonstrated among all fiber grating-based OVB generators to date. The proposed HFN-based OVB generator exhibits a relatively compact size, ultra-wide bandwidth, and customizable center wavelength, making it highly promising for applications in optical vortex-based endoscopic imaging as well as particle detection and manipulation.

2-битные метаповерхности Патчаратнама-Берри с генерацией, интерференцией и гашением орбитального углового момента для широкополосного снижения ЭПР

The radar cross-section (RCS) reduction using non-absorbing digital Patcharatnam-Berry (PB) metasurfaces (MSs), consisting of 2-bit modules with generation, interference and cancellation of vortex electromagnetic waves with orbital angular momentum (OAM) is studied. Each module has a helical PB-phase profile and possesses vortex scattering. Module unit cells contain a shielded dielectric substrate and meta-particles in the form of triple-coupled split-ring resonators. The modules are distinguished by 2-bit coding of the initial tilt angle of the meta-particles 0º, 45º, 90º and 135º. The purpose of the work is to numerically analyze the generation of antiphase vortex beams (VBs) by OAM-modules and to assess the influence of interference and cancellation of antiphase vortices on the structure and order of OAM in the resulting field and the RCS reduction of three digital MSs in the form of 2´2 lattice of 2-bit OAM-modules of different sizes with different topological charges. The scattering characteristics are studied using HFSS for normally incident circularly polarized waves using of the finite element method. The simulation showed that the interference of phase vortices of four OAM-modules forms the main axial vortex and N additional interference side near and far vortices (N depends on the size of the MS). Interference vortex beams create phase singularities and zero the resulting far field in N side directions over the entire forward hemisphere. The intense OAM modes of the main vortex beams are of the fourth or eighth order. The OAM modes of adjacent interference VBs, as a rule, differ in sign. The proposed 2-bit MSs provide wider-angle phase cancellation of vortex fields (compared to 1-bit MSs) and, as a consequence, wider-angle diffuse scattering of the resulting field of the MS, which is important for RCS reduction.

Second harmonic of higher-order Poincaré sphere beam with two orthogonal 5%MgO:PPLN crystals

In this work, the second harmonic (SH) of higher-order Poincaré sphere (HOPS) beam was introduced and demonstrated with two orthogonal 5%MgO:PPLN crystals. Based on the quasi-phase-matching technique, the vectorial coupled wave equations were derived to simulate the SH of HOPS beams through the two crystals, including the cylindrical vector beams (CVBs), elliptically polarized CVBs (EPCVBs), and circularly polarized vortex beams. Then, the experimental setup was established to reveal that the SH of CVBs and EPCVBs present the four-lobed structure and still exhibit vector characteristics. Meanwhile, the circularly polarized vortex beams become the linearly polarized vortex beams with double phase topology, confirming the conservation of orbital angular momentum. Moreover, the maximum SH conversion efficiency of CVBs, EPCVBs, and circularly polarized vortex beams can reach 25.3%, 23.4%, and 29.4%, respectively, which may be instructive for promoting the SH generation of vector vortex beams with high efficiency.

High-Purity Large Mode Field Super-Stable Vortex Beam Generator

High-Purity Large Mode Field Super-Stable Vortex Beam Generator

Transformation of Longitudinally Customizable Curved Vector Vortex Beams Using Dielectric Metasurface

AbstractIn recent years, the emergence of metasurfaces has brought revolutionary changes to the generation and processing of vortex beams, triggering widespread research interest. Meanwhile, the longitudinally varying features of propagating beams provide new design freedom for realizing multi‐dimensional optical manipulation and promote the advancements of related areas such as microscopic detection, microfabrication, and biomedical applications. In addition, self‐accelerating Bessel beams are promising for a wide range of applications such as particle manipulation and medicine due to their nondiffracting, self‐healing as well as obstacle avoidance properties. In this paper, a novel kind of curved transmitted high‐order Bessel beams with longitudinally varying features based on form‐birefringent metasurface, by simultaneously manipulating the phase profiles of output orthogonal polarization components is demonstrated. Multiple dimensions of the beam, including the propagation trajectory, polarization state, and orbital angular momentum, can be tailored arbitrarily. For verifying the feasibility of the demonstrated method, two samples with different propagation trajectories, as well as different variations of orbital angular momentum, are designed and experimentally demonstrated. Such a novel approach can open new doors for the manipulation of vortex beams and can be used for depth sensing and distance measurement in complex environments.

Proposal for the generation of an ion vortex beam and study of its electromagnetic fields

We propose a scheme for the generation of an ion vortex beam and we study the properties of its electromagnetic field on a plane transverse to its propagation direction. The ion vortex is created by the diffraction of an ionic beam by a light mask with a spiral-like transverse intensity pattern. The diffraction is a result of a short time optical dipole interaction between the light mask and the ion which results to a phase imprint on the ionic wave function. It is shown that as the order of the vortex states that are generated by the various diffraction gets higher the electromagnetic field components have reduced magnitudes. The properties of these fields are studied against the various parameters of the problem.

Terahertz four-channel polarization-multiplexed vortex beams based on vanadium dioxide integrated metasurfaces

In recent years, vanadium dioxide (VO2) has drawn enormous attention in dynamic electromagnetic (EM) manipulation, owing to its mild phase change condition and prominent diversity of optical characteristics. In this paper, anisotropic meta-atoms integrating VO2 are proposed to obtain four polarization-multiplexing channels. The meta-atom is composed of two stacking metal–insulator–metal (MIM) structures. For the modulation of EM wavefront in desired manners, a meta-atom database composed of 256 meta-atoms is elaborately designed. Applying the meta-atom database and the degree of freedom in interfacial phase distribution, two metasurfaces are demonstrated in the verification of four-channel polarization-multiplexed vortex beams. The firstly proposed metasurface realizes the generation of four vortex beams with different topological charges. Each channel is dependent on the polarization of the incident wave and VO2 state. The further investigated metasurface achieves simultaneous control over the reflection direction, quantity, and mode of vortex beams under different VO2 states and polarization states of incident wave. In addition, designed metasurfaces exhibit wideband effect for over 100 GHz. The proposed design method enables four-channel generation of vortex beams using a single metasurface, and may have potential applications in dynamic and integrated terahertz communication.

Continuously tuneable single electrode pair liquid crystal optical vortex generators

Abstract In this work, we demonstrate the use of two-photon polymerization direct laser writing in the production of continuously tuneable optical vortex beam (OV) generators in a liquid crystal (LC) layer sandwiched between glass substrates. Results are presented that show how an OV generator can be inscribed into a 20 μm-thick LC layer and how the order of the OV beam can be tuned with the application of a voltage. Importantly, only a single pair of electrodes is needed to tune the order of the vortex as the required phase profile is generated through the 3D structuring of the polymer network using the laser writing process. Following the design and fabrication of the LC-OV generator, a Mach–Zehnder interferometer is subsequently employed, in conjunction with polarizing optical microscopy, to characterize the devices to confirm the generation of OVs of different orders and to determine the corresponding chirality. The paper concludes by considering whether these LC-OV generators can function at a range of different operation wavelengths. Such devices would be of potential importance in applications ranging from optical communications to quantum physics.

Controlled generation of OAM-switchable vortex beams at 639 nm from a Pr3+: YLF laser

In this paper, we reported and demonstrated a blue LD-pumped Pr3+: YLF laser for the controlled generation of orbital angular momentum (OAM) switchable vortex beams at 639 nm. To begin with, the quantitative tilt imbalance of the resonator was introduced to select the higher-order Hermite-Gaussian (HG) modes by utilizing the eigenvector method and introducing the concept of mode discriminant factor. Moreover, the mode converter, composed of two cylindrical mirrors, was applied to convert the Hermite- Gaussian (HG) modes into the Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) modes with the OAM. Then, the experiment setup was built to validate the correctness and effectiveness of the quantitative tilt imbalance. The results showed that the vortex beams with OAM of 0 to ±14 at 639 nm can be obtained by adjusting the tilted angle of the output mirror, which agreed well with the simulation results, and the slope efficiencies of the vortex beams with OAM = 1, 2, and 3 are 11.64%, 8.01%, and 6.05%, respectively. The method provided a viable solution for the generation of visible vortex beams with switchable OAM from the Pr3+: YLF laser.

Generation of tunable vortex beams from a side-pumped Nd:YAG laser utilizing spot defect mirrors

High-order vortex lasers are important for high angular momentum quantum entanglement and high-resolution spatial detection. However, traditional spatial phase modulation for Gaussian beams have difficulties achieving high-order and continuously adjustable optical vortex output. In this study, a high-order vortex laser output of continuously adjustable topological charges between 1 and 9 was obtained by adjusting the cavity length in a side-pumped Nd:YAG oscillator with circular spot defects of different sizes etched on the surface of the cavity mirror. Its chirality was also controlled by slightly tilting the cavity mirror, and the mode changes under different cavity parameters and the factors limiting the output optical-vortex order in the side-pumping structure were analyzed. In addition, the generation of optical vortex lattice modes with multiple spatially separated OAMs was obtained based on the spot defect method by displacing the cavity mirror.

Propagation of focused scalar and vector vortex beams in anisotropic media: A semianalytical approach

In the field of structured light, the study of optical vortices and their vectorial extension—vectorial vortex beams—has garnered substantial interest due to their unique phase and polarization properties, which make them appealing for many potential applications. Combining the advantages of vortex beams and anisotropic materials, unique possibilities for electromagnetic field tailoring and manipulation can be achieved in nonlinear optics, quantum and topological photonics. These applications call for a comprehensive modeling framework that accounts for properties of both anisotropic materials and vector vortex beams. In this paper, we describe a semianalytical model that extends the vectorial diffraction theory to the case of focused vortex beams propagating through a uniaxial slab, considering both the cases of scalar and vectorial vortices in the common framework of a Laguerre-Gaussian mode basis. The model aims to provide a comprehensive description of the methodology, enabling the implementation of complex beam transmission through, reflection from, and propagation in uniaxial anisotropic materials for specific applications. As a demonstration of its versatility, we apply the developed approach to describe propagation of high-order vortex beams in uniaxial materials with various dispersion characteristics, exploring the elliptic, hyperbolic and epsilon-near-zero regimes. We show how variations of the medium anisotropy modify the beam structure due to the vectorial nature of their interaction, which results from the different permittivities of the medium for transverse and longitudinal field components. The applicability of the approach can be extended to artificially structured media if they can be described by effective medium parameters. The developed formalism will be useful for modeling interaction of complex beams with uniaxial materials, allowing a common framework for a large variety of situations, which can also be extended beyond the electromagnetic waves. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Generation of elliptical perfect optical vortex beams and their propagation in free-space.

We investigate the generation of an elliptical perfect optical vortex (EPOV) beam through the optical Fourier transformation of an elliptical Bessel-Gaussian beam and derive an analytical expression for its complex field amplitude. Our analysis includes the examination of the beam's propagation in free-space and the influence of topological charge on its transmission. The EPOV beam's propagation in free-space can be categorized into non-diffracting and diffracting stages. During the non-diffracting stage, the beam intensity and profile size are effectively preserved over a short transmission distance. Subsequently, in the diffracting stage, the beam profile initially contracts and then expands with a change in the beam intensity. Notably, the impact of topological charge on the beam intensity and profile size varies across different stages of propagation. We compare our results with those of the circular perfect optical vortex beam propagating in free-space, observing that the EPOV beam exhibits non-diffracting behavior for short propagation distances compared to its circular counterpart. The signature of the focusing behavior of the EPOV beam is observed at a relatively small propagation distance compared to the circular case.

Tunable broadband terahertz graphene metasurface for complex-amplitude vortex beam generator and hologram

The independent controls of phase and amplitude, known as complex-amplitude modulation, play a crucial role for modulating the electromagnetic wavefronts. In this paper, a tunable broadband terahertz (THz) graphene metasurface with complex-amplitude modulation is proposed. A novel hybrid modulation mechanism that combines the absorption, polarization conversion, and Pancharatnam–Berry (PB) phase is employed to achieve a wide complex-amplitude modulation range over a broad frequency band. In addition, the metasurface can be dynamically tuned from the electrically tunable nature of the graphene in the THz range. To reveal the tunability characteristics of the metasurface as the graphene chemical potential varies, we study the Kubo formula of the graphene conductivity model and combine it with the equivalent circuit model. Two THz graphene meta-devices are designed for complex-amplitude vortex beam generator and hologram. By varying the graphene chemical potentials of 0 and 1 eV as the ON and OFF states, a THz quad-vortex-beam generator with switchable modes is designed and verified. We also demonstrate a THz hologram with complex-amplitude modulation by adjusting the chemical potential, exhibiting low imaging noise and high image quality. The proposed method is promised to be applied to the design of more complex-amplitude THz graphene meta-devices.

Phase distribution and circular dichroism switchable terahertz chiral metasurface.

Chiral metasurfaces have many applications in the terahertz (THz) band, but they still lack modulation flexibility and functionality expansion. This paper presents a terahertz chiral metasurface with switchable phase distribution and switchable circular dichroism (CD). The metasurface unit consists of a metallic inner ring embedded in vanadium oxide and a vanadium oxide outer ring, state switching by thermal control of vanadium oxide and a change in the frequency of the incident wave. Based on the switchable phase distribution, we designed a focusing vortex beam generator with adjustable focal lengths through simulation. Based on the switching CD capability, we simulate its mode switching in near-field imaging using numerical simulation, and innovatively propose an optical encryption method. Utilizing the chiral property, we also designed dual-channel switchable holographic imaging in the same frequency band, which combined with the state change of VO2 can realize a total of 4 holograms switching. Our proposed metasurface is expected to provide new ideas for the study of optical encryption and wavefront modulation of dynamics.

Spin Unlocked Vortex Beam Generation on Nonlinear Chiroptical Metasurfaces.

Optical vortices with spin and orbital angular momentum (SAM and OAM) states offer multiple degrees of freedom for manipulating optical fields and thus enable great potentials in optical information processing. Recently, the optical metasurface has become an important platform for vortex beam generation and steering. However, the strong spin-orbit interaction on such metasurfaces usually leads to spin locked OAM generation, which limits the complete control of the angular momentum state of light. Here, we propose to solve this constraint using geometric phase controlled nonlinear chiroptical metasurfaces. The metasurface consists of two types of plasmonic meta-atoms which have opposite handedness and exhibit a strong spin-dependent circular dichroism effect. By encoding specific phase singularities and phase gradients to different channels, we experimentally demonstrate the spin unlocked second harmonic beam steering. The proposed nonlinear chiroptical metasurfaces may have important applications in developing multifunctional nonlinear optical devices.

Tunable VO2 metasurface for reflective terahertz linear and circular polarization wavefront manipulation at two frequencies independently

In this work, a tunable VO2 metasurface (MS) is proposed and numerically demonstrated in the terahertz (THz) region, which can independently manipulate reflected linearly polarized (LP) and circularly polarized (CP) wavefronts at two frequencies independently. The unit-cell of the proposed VO2 MS consists of a metallic circular ring (CR) structure, rectangular-shaped-patch (RSP) and circular-double-split-ring (CDSR) structure VO2 adhered on a dielectric substrate by a bottom metallic ground plane. The proposed MS structure enables the reflected cross-polarization conversion of LP waves at lower frequencies (fL = 1.34 THz) and CP waves at higher frequencies (fH = 2.53 THz), respectively. By changing the external temperature, the conductivity of the VO2 RSP and CDSR structures can be adjusted dynamically. By varying the conductivity of the VO2, the proposed MS can achieve a reflected LP conversion with efficiency from 0% to 98.86% at lower frequency of 1.34 THz and the reflected CP conversion with efficiency from 0% to 81.86% at higher frequency of 2.53 THz. Moreover, the corresponding modulation depths of this MS are as high as 98.86% and 81.86% at two different frequencies, respectively. Moreover, a 2π phase shift can be realized by the transmission phase and geometric phase principles at lower and higher frequencies, respectively. Finally, two VO2 MSs have been constructed to achieve the reflection deflection for both CP and LP waves, and reflective CP focusing and LP vortex beam generation, respectively. These findings are favorable for expanding the range of temperature-controlled VO2 MS for wavefront manipulation, thereby opening up new possibilities for the development of advanced, tunable, and multifunctional THz devices that can handle both LP and CP waves.

Electrically Active Terahertz Liquid‐Crystal Metasurface for Polarization Vortex Beam Switching

AbstractPolarized vortex waves have attracted widespread attention in investigations of light–matter interactions and the augmentation of information capacity owing to their distinctive characteristics. Nevertheless, the reconfigurable generation of vector beams, especially at terahertz (THz) frequencies, remains challenging. In this study, a tunable THz polarization vortex beam generator based on a liquid‐crystal metasurface is proposed. A unit cell featuring reconfigurable linear polarization selectivity is developed. A general methodology for designing metasurfaces to generate customized and reconfigurable polarization patterns is introduced. Furthermore, the electrically tunable generation of polarized patterns and cylinder vector beams is experimentally demonstrated. The findings of this study can open up opportunities for wireless communication and super‐resolution imaging applications.

Hybrid hollow-Gaussian and Laguerre–Gaussian terahertz beam generated by optical rectification in [formula omitted]-barium borate

Optical vortex beams attract much attention due to their versatile applications. Various methodologies have been developed to generate and manipulate optical vortex beams. In contrast, the generation of THz vortex beams is still in its infancy. Nonlinear optical processes have the potential to help develop novel methods to generate THz vortex beams. This work investigates the optical rectification in β-barium borate pumped with optical vector beams. The results show that the generated THz beam is hybrid, composed of a hollow-Gaussian mode and two Laguerre–Gaussian modes bearing opposite topological charges. The hollow-Gaussian mode is independent of the optical pump’s polarization state. On the contrary, the Laguerre–Gaussian modes’ orientations depend on the optical pump’s polarization state.