Phase Modulation Element Research Articles

Generation of diffraction-free petallike beams based on stationary phase principle

Lately, a kind of so-called “combined half-integer Bessel-like beams,” in which their subfamilies include radial carpet, petallike, and ringlike vortex beams, has been generated using a radial periodic grating. Different from classical petallike beams, we introduce and generate a kind of new petallike beams, that is, diffraction-free petallike beams (DFPBs). Their diffraction pattern is independent of the propagation distance. Firstly, the generating mechanism of diffraction-free petallike beams is theoretically investigated based on the stationary phase principle. Then, we theoretically construct a family of patterns of DFPBs. Subsequently, the DFPBs is generated by using an amplitude radial grating with a sinusoidal transmission function and two phase modulation elements — phase plate and axicon. Experimental results well confirm the theoretical predictions, thereby showing that the stationary phase principle is an effective approach to generating various diffraction-free combined half-integer Bessel-like beams based on radial grating, including diffraction-free radial carpet, petallike, and ringlike vortex beams.

Design, Analysis, and Experiment on High-Performance Orbital Angular Momentum Beam Based on 1-Bit Programmable Metasurface

In this study, a high-performance orbital angular momentum (OAM) beam is designed, analyzed and experimented using a 1-bit programmable metasurface. OAM as a novel technology is investigated systematically in this paper. Moreover, this study is motivated by the application requirements of real-time controllable communication. The proposed programmable metasurface comprises 1-bit phase modulation units with only two phase states, which is evolved from an electromagnetic surface composed of 360° continuous phase units based on the principle of 1-bit phase quantization. First, the necessity and feasibility of developing the OAM beam based on 1-bit programmable metasurface are studied. Then, qualitative analysis of OAM beams is conducted on different OAM modes and phase modulation elements. Next, the quantitative indexes of OAM beams such as the peak gain in far-field, the divergence angle of main lobe, and circumferential symmetry in azimuth planes are systematically analyzed through a survey of key factors. It is noteworthy that this analysis provides a powerful research basis to achieve an excellent OAM beam with the adjustable function. Thereafter, an active reflective programmable metasurface with $48\times48$ elements is fabricated to verify the feasibility of developing an OAM beam using a 1-bit element. The experimental and simulation results are in good agreement. Furthermore, a high gain OAM beam with a narrow divergence angle is realized by using the large-scale 1-bit programmable metasurface. Notably, a high-gain beam and an OAM beam can be both generated and can converted into each other, which lays the foundation to achieve the OAM beam with the function of real time dynamic control in future.

Generation of an Ultra-Long Optical Needle Induced by an Azimuthally Polarized Beam

In this manuscript, a method of generating an ultra-long optical needle (depth-to-width ratio 37.5:1) is proposed and demonstrated by focusing an azimuthally polarized beam. In theory, the action mechanism between the incident beam and the amplitude modulation element, the spiral phase modulation element, the focusing lens were studied based on the Richards and Wolf's theory. The relationship between the intensity distribution of the optical needle and the structure parameter of the element were obtained, thus leading to the complete design model and design standard. In experiment, the annular amplitude modulation element and spiral phase modulation element were fabricated by lithography. The optical needle was obtained based on a custom-designed optical setup in our laboratory. The optical system consists of an annular aperture (3.9-mm inner diameter, 80-μm annular width), a spiral phase plate (topological charge of 1), and an objective lens with numerical aperture of 0.95. Finally, an optical needle with a subwavelength size (0.416λ) and an ultra-long depth of focus (15.6λ) was obtained, showing an excellent agreement with our theoretical model.

Fabrication of Modified Random Phase Masks with Phase Modulation Elements Exhibiting Gaussian Profiles Using Molecular Migration under Photopolymerization

Random phase masks are important technical elements for realizing holographic memory systems that enable high density recording. However, the broadly distributed Fourier spectrum often presents a problem because wide recording spots result in reduced total storage capacity for a recording medium. In the present study, we propose modified random phase masks with phase modulation elements exhibiting Gaussian profiles to suppress the spread of the recording spot and keep it in a narrow area, based on the reduction of the high-frequency components in a random phase pattern. We confirm the effectiveness of the proposed random phase mask using simulations of a computer-generated binary hologram. However, issues still remain in terms of the fabrication of random phase masks with Gaussian profiles. Therefore, we evaluate the feasibility of fabricating the proposed random phase mask using molecular diffusion under photopolymerization. The results confirm the feasibility of this approach over a relatively wide area for actual fabrication.

A modulator-free quantum key distribution transmitter chip

Quantum key distribution (QKD) has convincingly been proven compatible with real life applications. Its wide-scale deployment in optical networks will benefit from an optical platform that allows miniature devices capable of encoding the necessarily complex signals at high rates and with low power consumption. While photonic integration is the ideal route toward miniaturisation, an efficient route to high-speed encoding of the quantum phase states on chip is still missing. Consequently, current devices rely on bulky and high power demanding phase modulation elements which hinder the sought-after scalability and energy efficiency. Here we exploit a novel approach to high-speed phase encoding and demonstrate a compact, scalable and power efficient integrated quantum transmitter. We encode cryptographic keys on-demand in high repetition rate pulse streams using injection-locking with deterministic phase control at the seed laser. We demonstrate record secure-key-rates under multi-protocol operation. Our modulator-free transmitters enable the development of high-bit rate quantum communications devices, which will be essential for the practical integration of quantum key distribution in high connectivity networks.

Spatial acoustic modulator for projecting high-quality holographic image

Spatial modulation of acoustic wave has demonstrated theoretical and experimental importance in the field of acoustics, with wide applications such as in medical ultrasound and particle manipulation. However, the existing means for acoustic modulation have to rely on the acoustic metasurfaces providing only pure phase modulation or active element arrays with complicated fabrications and limited spatial resolutions. In this work, we present the design, numerical simulation, and experimental demonstration of a spatial acoustic modulator (SAM) capable of manipulating the phase and amplitude profiles separately and continuously, offering the possibility to address the above challenges by enabling arbitrarily complex acoustical patterns. The proposed structure has a simple configuration with planar profile, high efficiency of spatial modulation, and deep-subwavelength unit scale, ensuring easy and low-cost fabrication and nearly-continuous wavefront manipulation. The designed SAM is used to project high-quality acoustic holograms both theoretically and experimentally to demonstrate its wave-steering functionality. Our metastructure-based holographic projector with simplicity and extreme acoustic performance advances the capability of spatial acoustic modulation, and have various applications in places where the conventional techniques would lead to complexity and limited ability.

Monolithic integration of binary-phase fresnel zone plate objectives on 2-axis scanning micromirrors for compact microscopes

We demonstrated a unique monolithic integration of Fresnel elliptical zone plate (EZP) objective on a 2-axis staggered vertical comb-drive micromirror with 500 μm by 800 μm surface area via direct patterning of reflective binary phase modulation elements on a silicon chip. The need for focusing optics is thus obviated, simplifying the micro-endoscope assembly and improving its form factor. The design of binary phase EZP was guided by simulations based on FFT based Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction model. For dual-axis scanning angles up to 9º by 9º at the image plane, the simulated diffracted Airy disks on a spatial map have been demonstrated to vary from 10.5 μm to 28.6 μm. Micromirrors scanning ±9º (optical) about both axes are patterned with elliptical zones designed for 7 mm focal length and 20þ off-axis 635-nm illumination using 635 nm laser. Videos of samples acquired with ~15 μm lateral resolution over 1mm × 0.35 mm field of view (FOV) at 5.0 frames/second using the device in both transmission and reflectance modes bench-top single-fiber laser scanning confocal microscope confirmed the applicability of the device to micro-endoscopy.

Diffraction-Based Spatial Light Modulation: Transverse Linear Electrooptic Effect in Polymers

We propose a new type of spatial light modulator using nonlinear organic polymer film as a phase modulation element. Using polymer poly-Disperse Red-19 Toluendiiso-cyanate, a more than 150:1 contrast ratio has been realized for electrical addressing in transverse geometry.

A.C. Stabilizer

The utility model relates to an AC stabilizer, and existing multiple primary taps stabilizers mostly adopt a controlled silicon as a phase modulation element and has the defects of high pressure resisting requirement of elements, large product volume and high cost. The utility model uses a contact relay contact as the phase-modulation element and a capacitor is connected in parallel between the phase modulation electrical inductance end head of a primary coil and taps and between the end head or the taps and a power supply cord. The utility model has the advantages of small size, low cost and little energy consumption, and the capacitor connected in parallel can eliminate the phenomenon of arc pulling and fire striking of the contact, extending service life.