Manipulation Of Orbital Angular Momentum Research Articles

Nonlocal inverse design of an ultrasonic lens for underwater manipulation of orbital angular momentum

Nonlocal inverse design of an ultrasonic lens for underwater manipulation of orbital angular momentum

Multiplexed manipulation of orbital angular momentum and wavelength in metasurfaces based on arbitrary complex-amplitude control

Due to its unbounded and orthogonal modes, the orbital angular momentum (OAM) is regarded as a key optical degree of freedom (DoF) for future information processing with ultra-high capacity and speed. Although the manipulation of OAM based on metasurfaces has brought about great achievements in various fields, such manipulation currently remains at single-DoF level, which means the multiplexed manipulation of OAM with other optical DoFs is still lacking, greatly hampering the application of OAM beams and advancement of metasurfaces. In order to overcome this challenge, we propose the idea of multiplexed coherent pixel (MCP) for metasurfaces. This approach enables the manipulation of arbitrary complex-amplitude under incident lights of both plane and OAM waves, on the basis of which we have realized the multiplexed DoF control of OAM and wavelength. As a result, the MCP method expands the types of incident lights which can be simultaneously responded by metasurfaces, enriches the information processing capability of metasurfaces, and creates applications of information encryption and OAM demultiplexer. Our findings not only provide means for the design of high-security and high-capacity metasurfaces, but also raise the control and application level of OAM, offering great potential for multifunctional nanophotonic devices in the future.

Metasurface-based perfect vortex beams with trigonometric-function topological charge for OAM manipulation.

Topological charge (TC) is generally acknowledged as an important attribute of an optical vortex (OV), which indicates the twisted characterization of the wavefront. In most circumstances, the TC remains constant as an integer or fraction along the azimuthal direction. Herein, by transforming the TCs into the trigonometric functions of the azimuthal angle to tailor the spiral phase distributions, we numerically demonstrate generating perfect vortex beams (PVBs) with sine-function TC based on the all-dielectric geometric metasurfaces, whose unit structure is optimized to an ideal half-wave plate. To seek the intrinsic advancements of the proposed PVBs, their orbital angular momentum (OAM) as well as optical gradient force distributions are calculated for diverse particle manipulation. We believe our proposed scheme is desired to provide an original thought for OAM manipulation, information storage, and optical communication.

Mode Conversion Between Beams Carrying Orbital Angular Momentum With Opposite Topological Charges Using Two-Dimensional Multimode Interference Waveguides

Recently, the implementation of rectangular waveguides for generation and manipulation of orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes, has been developed to exploit the outstanding features of these modes in more complex integrated devices. Multimode interference (MMI) structures have been widely used in both one and two dimensions as the basic elements in many integrated optical devices like optical beam splitters, mode converters, couplers, wavelength-division (de)multiplexers, and switches. According to the various applications of OAM modes in quantum and classical communications, the study of their propagation properties in MMI waveguides is useful in order to facilitate the way into higher security and capacity systems. This paper presents the results of numerical investigation of a proposed integrated optical OAM mode converter which is performed based on the mode decomposition properties of propagating OAM modes in 2D MMI waveguides, as well as the fact that any order of OAM mode can be represented as superposition of an odd mode and a quarter-wave shifted even mode. The proposed device, which consists of two MMI waveguides connected by phase shifters and linear waveguides, provides mode conversion between beams carrying OAM with odd opposite topological charges. The design procedure is performed for OAM modes with topological charge values of l = ±1 and l = ±3 using beam propagation method. The proposed device is passive with reciprocal behavior and has the output mode purity of 94% and 82% for beams carrying l = ±1 and l = ±3, respectively.

Local OAM manipulation of a terahertz wave from the air filament by chirping the few-cycle vortex pump laser

We propose a scheme to manipulate the local orbital angular momentum (OAM) of the ultra-broadband (0.1-30 THz) terahertz (THz) waves from the laser-induced short air filament via chirping the few-cycle vortex laser pump. The simulation results show that either the THz vortex pulses with linear azimuth-dependent phases or the THz angular accelerating vortex beams (AAVBs) with nonlinear azimuth-dependent phases can be produced by tuning the chirp parameter of the pump. Thus, the dominant physical mechanism for THz generation can be determined. The THz temporal and transverse spatial distributions can be also controlled by the chirp parameter. Furthermore, their local OAM density distributions present very complex structures because most of the modulated azimuthal intensity and the corresponding local angular helicity distributions are not able to cancel out completely. Via analyzing the simulated THz results at the different pump intensities, we classify the initial pump intensity into three cases. For the low intensity case, the Kerr effect comes into prominence, so the generated THz radiation shall be vortex pulses. While for the high intensity case, the leading plasma effect dominates. In contrast, when the pump intensity is at the medium level, the Kerr nonlinearity and the plasma effect may be comparable and competitive. Basically, THz AAVBs are generated for both high and medium intensity cases. Our study will provide the possibility for studying the optically induced rotation technology more intuitively from the perspective of angular momentum transfer.

Electromagnetic focusing by zero orbital angular momentum system

We report on the observation of the electromagnetic focusing effect of zero orbital angular momentum (OAM) after introducing the multi-grade OAM concept. It performs the same feature in the central area around the focal point, while the typical Airy disk is transformed into a vortical cloud pattern beside the central area. Quantized focusing phenomena are exhibited based on the periodicity of the OAM. These results were verified by simulation and experiments. Our method achieves an optical focusing theory through OAM manipulation, which can be applied in imaging, photoetching, and communication. Furthermore, it also provides an opportunity for energy harvesting from natural OAM materials.

Arithmetic operation of orbital angular momentum of light via slow-light four-wave mixing

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light has attracted much attention because of its applications in many fields. Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) is well known as an effective method to manipulate the light fields. Now there are some increasing interests in using the EIT technology to manipulate OAM. In this work, we experimentally report on arithmetic operation of OAM of light in a solid driven by EIT. In an EIT four-level double lambda configuration, we use the optical vortex beams carrying OAM to perform slow-light four-wave mixing (FWM) without experiencing EIT storage. The conservation of OAM is satisfied in this FWM process, and the topological charge of the generated FWM signal is determined by those of the applied fields. The slow-light FWM signal accumulates the total OAM of the applied laser fields. The arithmetic operation of addition, subtraction and cancellation of OAM is effectively performed in experiment. Such OAM manipulation could have practical applications in information processing and quantum information.

Experimental generation of perfect optical vortices through strongly scattering media.

Perfect optical vortices enable the unprecedented optical multiplexing utilizing orbital angular momentum of light, which, however, suffer from distortion when they propagate in inhomogeneous media. Herein, we report on the experimental demonstration of perfect optical vortice generation through strongly scattering media. The transmission-matrix-based point-spread-function engineering is applied to encode the targeted mask in the Fourier domain before focusing. We experimentally demonstrate the perfect optical vortice generation either through a multimode fiber or a ground glass, where the numerical results agree well with the measured one. Our results might facilitate the manipulation of orbital angular momentum of light through disordered scattering media and shed new light on the optical multiplexing utilizing perfect optical vortices.

Four-wave mixing-based orbital angular momentum translation

We theoretically study the generation of orbital angular momentum (OAM) based on the four-wave mixing process in a diamond-type homogeneously broadened 85 R b atomic system. We use density matrix formalism at a weak field limit to explain the origin of vortex translation between different optical fields and a generated signal. We show how the singularities, which are omnipresent in the phases of the input optical vortex beams, can be profoundly mapped to atomic coherence in the transverse plane, which holds the origin of OAM translation. This translation process works well even for a moderately intense probe and control field, which enhances medium nonlinearity. The generation and manipulation of OAM of the light beam in a nonlinear medium may have important applications in optical tweezers and quantum information processing systems.

Integer multiplier for the orbital angular momentum of light using a circular-sector transformation

This paper describes an integer multiplier for the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light through the parallel implementation of multiple circular-sector transformations, whereby the cross-sectional circular shape of the OAM mode is geometrically transformed to the circular-sector shape. Experiments show that the conversion accuracy of both OAM doubler and tripler formulations is significantly better than that of the previous method. This is because the proposed method uses a simple implementation with a single spatial light modulator. The proposed method has strong potential for the spatial mode manipulation of OAM and other useful spatial modes.

Ferroelectric liquid crystal mediated fast switchable orbital angular momentum of light.

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light has been extensively studied during the past two decades. Till now, it is a formidable challenge to dynamically manipulate OAM in fast switching speed, good beam quality and low power consumption. Here, an alternative strategy is proposed through the combination of the uniformly-aligned ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) and the space-variant photo-patterned nematic liquid crystal. Owing to the excellent electro-optical properties of the adopted FLC, the high-performance electrical switching of OAM, especially, its helicity and the superposed state (i.e., the cylindrical vector beam), can be realized in good quality and high efficiency. The symmetric switching time is down to 120 µs even at a very low driving voltage of 1.7 V/µm. This supplies a practical and universal method towards high-frequency manipulation of OAM and other structured beams.

Metamaterial-based manipulation of orbital angular momentum for sound

The existing wave-steering devices generally control acoustic beams carrying only linear momentum. But acoustic vortices imprinted with orbital angular momentum (OAM) obviously opens new degree of freedom to control wavefront, with wide applications such as in the design of acoustic “screwdrivers” capable to generate a rotation torque to rotate objects contactlessly. To overcome the drawbacks of the traditional methods for producing acoustic OAM, we have designed and fabricated an acoustic vortex emitter with multi-arm coiling slits that utilize diffraction effect to generate vortex beam, with broadband functionality and stable topological charge. Based on this, we further propose a new mechanism for producing acoustic OAM by converting acoustic resonances to OAM. As an implementation, we have designed and fabricated a thin planar device with high efficiency to verify our scheme. Compared with existing ways for OAM production by phased spiral sources that need sophisticated electronic control and by physically spiral sources that need screw profiles and may also have a bulky size, our acoustic resonance-based OAM production bears the advantages of high efficiency, planar profile, compact size, no spiral structure, and can be freely tuned to produce different orders of OAM. I will also discuss some potential applications of our proposed scheme for OAM manipulation by metamaterials.

Orbital Angular Momentum Divider of Light

Manipulation of orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light is essential in OAM-based optical systems. In particular, the OAM divider, which can convert the incoming OAM mode into one or several new smaller modes in proportion at different spatial paths, is very useful in OAM-based optical networks. However, this useful tool has rarely been reported. Here, we put forward a passive OAM divider based on coordinate transformation. The device consists of a Cartesian to log-polar coordinate converter and an inverse converter. The first converter converts the OAM light into a rectangular-shaped plane light with a transverse phase gradient, and the second converter converts the plane light into multiple diffracted light. The OAM of zeroth-order diffracted light is the product of the input OAM and the scaling parameter. The residual light is the output from other diffracted orders. Furthermore, we extend the scheme to realize equal N -division of OAM and arbitrary division of OAM. The ability of dividing OAM shows huge potential for OAM-based classical and quantum information processing.

Gate-Tunable Conducting Oxide Metasurfaces.

Metasurfaces composed of planar arrays of subwavelength artificial structures show promise for extraordinary light manipulation. They have yielded novel ultrathin optical components such as flat lenses, wave plates, holographic surfaces, and orbital angular momentum manipulation and detection over a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum. However, the optical properties of metasurfaces developed to date do not allow for versatile tunability of reflected or transmitted wave amplitude and phase after their fabrication, thus limiting their use in a wide range of applications. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a gate-tunable metasurface that enables dynamic electrical control of the phase and amplitude of the plane wave reflected from the metasurface. Tunability arises from field-effect modulation of the complex refractive index of conducting oxide layers incorporated into metasurface antenna elements which are configured in reflectarray geometry. We measure a phase shift of 180° and ∼30% change in the reflectance by applying 2.5 V gate bias. Additionally, we demonstrate modulation at frequencies exceeding 10 MHz and electrical switching of ±1 order diffracted beams by electrical control over subgroups of metasurface elements, a basic requirement for electrically tunable beam-steering phased array metasurfaces. In principle, electrically gated phase and amplitude control allows for electrical addressability of individual metasurface elements and opens the path to applications in ultrathin optical components for imaging and sensing technologies, such as reconfigurable beam steering devices, dynamic holograms, tunable ultrathin lenses, nanoprojectors, and nanoscale spatial light modulators.

Mode Conversion and Orbital Angular Momentum Transfer Among Multiple Modes by Helical Gratings

The coupling feature of helical gratings (HGs) has been studied on flexible conversion between two orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes by both the transverse and longitudinal modulation of HGs. Apart from one to one OAM exchange, HGs can achieve OAM transfer among multiple modes, provided both the helix and phase matching conditions are well satisfied for successive coupling. It is contributed from the fold number of modulation fringes of HGs and the difference multiplication of propagation constants between two of the successive modes. Based on the coupled mode theory, we investigate the mode conversion and OAM transfer among three modes using a 3 fold HGs in a ring core fiber, and numerically simulate it by transmission matrix. Our work about the multiple modes transferring can be regarded as an extension of mode coupling for optical gratings, and might flourish the mode conversion, as well as OAM manipulation in optics fields.

Nonlinear optical memory for manipulation of orbital angular momentum of light.

We report on the demonstration of a nonlinear optical memory (NOM) for storage and on-demand manipulation of orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light via higher-order nonlinear processes in cold cesium atoms. A spatially resolved phase-matching technique is used to select each order of the nonlinear susceptibility associated, respectively, with time-delayed four-, six-, and eight-wave mixing processes. For a specific configuration of the stored OAM of the incident beams, we demonstrated that the OAM of the retrieved beam can be manipulated according to the order of the nonlinear process chosen by the operator for reading out the NOM. This demonstration indicates new pathways for applications in classical and quantum information processing where OAM of light is used to encode optical information.

Generation and Manipulation of Orbital Angular Momentum by All-Dielectric Metasurfaces

We propose the design of a planar dielectric metasurface to overcome the ohmic loss and discrete phase profile of metallic metasurfaces. The proposed metasurface is composed of annular subwavelength gratings, which can be taken regard as a space-variant Pancharatnam-Berry phase optical element. Consequently, the OAM-carrying beams with topological charge a"" = +/- 2 is generated with the efficiency high up to 90 %. In addition, we demonstrate a method to produce fractional, quasi-focusing, and quasi-non-diffracting OAM-carrying beams by adopting appropriate width modulation of the annular gratings. The proposed metasurfaces offering superiorities in high efficiency, phase continuity, and manipulative diversity may have potential applications in integrated-photonics and optical communication system.

Reconfigurable orbital angular momentum and polarization manipulation of 100 Gbit/s QPSK data channels

We demonstrate reconfigurable orbital angular momentum (OAM) and polarization manipulation of OAM- and polarization-multiplexed 100 Gbit/s quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) data channels. Each data channel's OAM value and its polarization state can be arbitrarily changed by taking advantage of the unique wavefront profile of OAM beams using liquid crystal on silicon-based spatial light modulators. The manipulation operation introduces a power penalty of <1 dB for 100 Gbit/s QPSK signals.