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Liu X, Cao Q, Zhang N, Chong A, Cai Y, Zhan Q. Spatiotemporal optical vortices with controllable radial and azimuthal quantum numbers. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5435. [PMID: 38937504 PMCID: PMC11211508 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49819-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Optical spatiotemporal vortices with transverse photon orbital angular momentum (OAM) have recently become a focal point of research. In this work we theoretically and experimentally investigate optical spatiotemporal vortices with radial and azimuthal quantum numbers, known as spatiotemporal Laguerre-Gaussian (STLG) wavepackets. These 3D wavepackets exhibit phase singularities and cylinder-shaped edge dislocations, resulting in a multi-ring topology in its spatiotemporal profile. Unlike conventional ST optical vortices, STLG wavepackets with non-zero p and l values carry a composite transverse OAM consisting of two directionally opposite components. We further demonstrate mode conversion between an STLG wavepacket and an ST Hermite-Gaussian (STHG) wavepacket through the application of strong spatiotemporal astigmatism. The converted STHG wavepacket is de-coupled in intensity in space-time domain that can be utilized to implement the efficient and accurate recognition of ultrafast STLG wavepackets carried various p and l . This study may offer new insights into high-dimensional quantum information, photonic topology, and nonlinear optics, while promising potential applications in other wave phenomena such as acoustics and electron waves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technical Center of Light Manipulations and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optics and Photonic Device, School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Light Manipulations and Applications, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Qian Cao
- School of Optical-Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai, China
| | - Nianjia Zhang
- School of Optical-Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Andy Chong
- Department of Physics, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Future Earth, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yangjian Cai
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technical Center of Light Manipulations and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optics and Photonic Device, School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Light Manipulations and Applications, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China.
| | - Qiwen Zhan
- School of Optical-Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
- Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai, China.
- Westlake Institute for Optoelectronics, Fuyang, Hangzhou, China.
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Ni X, Liu Y, Lou B, Zhang M, Hu EL, Fan S, Mazur E, Tang H. Three-Dimensional Reconfigurable Optical Singularities in Bilayer Photonic Crystals. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 132:073804. [PMID: 38427898 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.073804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Metasurfaces and photonic crystals have revolutionized classical and quantum manipulation of light and opened the door to studying various optical singularities related to phases and polarization states. However, traditional nanophotonic devices lack reconfigurability, hindering the dynamic switching and optimization of optical singularities. This paper delves into the underexplored concept of tunable bilayer photonic crystals (BPhCs), which offer rich interlayer coupling effects. Utilizing silicon nitride-based BPhCs, we demonstrate tunable bidirectional and unidirectional polarization singularities, along with spatiotemporal phase singularities. Leveraging these tunable singularities, we achieve dynamic modulation of bound-state-in-continuum states, unidirectional guided resonances, and both longitudinal and transverse orbital angular momentum. Our work paves the way for multidimensional control over polarization and phase, inspiring new directions in ultrafast optics, optoelectronics, and quantum optics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqi Ni
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
| | - Yuan Liu
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
| | - Beicheng Lou
- Department of Applied Physics and Ginzton Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Mingjie Zhang
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
| | - Evelyn L Hu
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
| | - Shanhui Fan
- Department of Applied Physics and Ginzton Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Eric Mazur
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
| | - Haoning Tang
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
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Che Z, Liu W, Ye J, Shi L, Chan CT, Zi J. Generation of Spatiotemporal Vortex Pulses by Resonant Diffractive Grating. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 132:044001. [PMID: 38335365 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.044001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Spatiotemporal vortex pulses are wave packets that carry transverse orbital angular momentum, exhibiting exotic structured wave fronts that can twist through space and time. Existing methods to generate these pulses require complex setups like spatial light modulators or computer-optimized structures. Here, we demonstrate a new approach to generate spatiotemporal vortex pulses using just a simple diffractive grating. The key is constructing a phase vortex in frequency-momentum space by leveraging symmetry, resonance, and diffraction. Our approach is applicable to any wave system. We use a liquid surface wave (gravity wave) platform to directly demonstrate and observe the real-time generation and evolution of spatiotemporal vortex pulses. This straightforward technique provides opportunities to explore pulse dynamics and potential applications across different disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Che
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro- and Nano-Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wenzhe Liu
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Junyi Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro- and Nano-Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Lei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro- and Nano-Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Institute for Nanoelectronic Devices and Quantum Computing, Fudan University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Gulou District, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - C T Chan
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jian Zi
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro- and Nano-Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Institute for Nanoelectronic Devices and Quantum Computing, Fudan University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Gulou District, Nanjing, 210093, China
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Liu W, Wang J, Tang Y, Wang X, Zhao X, Shi L, Zi J, Chan CT. Exploiting Topological Darkness in Photonic Crystal Slabs for Spatiotemporal Vortex Generation. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:943-949. [PMID: 38198687 PMCID: PMC10811678 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c04348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Spatiotemporal optical vortices (STOVs) with swirling phase singularities in space and time hold great promise for a wide range of applications across diverse fields. However, current approaches to generate STOVs lack integrability and rely on bulky free-space optical components. Here, we demonstrate routine STOV generation by harnessing the topological darkness phenomenon of a photonic crystal slab. Complete polarization conversion enforced by symmetry enables topological darkness to arise from photonic bands of guided resonances, imprinting vortex singularities onto an ultrashort reflected pulse. Utilizing time-resolved spatial mapping, we provide the first observation of STOV generation using a photonic crystal slab, revealing the imprinted STOV structure manifested as a curved vortex line in the pulse profile in space and time. Our work establishes photonic crystal slabs as a versatile and accessible platform for engineering STOVs and harnessing the topological darkness in nanophotonics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhe Liu
- Department
of Physics, The Hong Kong University of
Science and Technology, Clear Water
Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jiajun Wang
- State
Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro- and Nano-Photonic
Structures (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yang Tang
- State
Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro- and Nano-Photonic
Structures (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xinhao Wang
- State
Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro- and Nano-Photonic
Structures (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xingqi Zhao
- State
Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro- and Nano-Photonic
Structures (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Lei Shi
- State
Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro- and Nano-Photonic
Structures (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Institute
for Nanoelectronic Devices and Quantum Computing, Fudan University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Collaborative
Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Gulou District, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Jian Zi
- State
Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory of Micro- and Nano-Photonic
Structures (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
- Institute
for Nanoelectronic Devices and Quantum Computing, Fudan University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Collaborative
Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Gulou District, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - C. T. Chan
- Department
of Physics, The Hong Kong University of
Science and Technology, Clear Water
Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
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