Variable-radius focused optical vortex with suppressed sidelobes

Toward broadband, dynamic structuring of a complex plasmonic field

The ability to tailor a coherent surface plasmon polariton (SPP) field is an important step toward many new opportunities for a broad range of nanophotonic applications. Previously, both scanning a converging SPP spot and designing SPP profiles using an ensemble of spots have been demonstrated. SPPs, however, are normally excited by intense, coherent light sources, that is, lasers. Hence, interference between adjacent spots is inevitable and will affect the overall SPP field distributions. We report a reconfigurable and wavelength-independent platform for generating a tailored two-dimensional (2D) SPP field distribution by considering the coherent field as a whole rather than as individual spots. With this new approach, the inherent constraints in a 2D coherent field distribution are revealed. Our design approach works not only for SPP waves but also for other 2D wave systems such as surface acoustic waves.

High-directional vortex beam emitter based on Archimedean spiral adiabatic waveguides

Integrated devices that emit light beams with orbital angular momentum (OAM) are becoming key components for wide-ranging applications. Here we propose and demonstrate a highly directional silicon photonic vortex beam emitter based on a 3-turn Archimedean spiral adiabatic waveguide integrated with an angular grating. Such a compact emitter is capable of generating vortex beams with small divergence angles and high directivity. Various orders of OAM modes can be selectively generated by the emitter at different wavelengths with a side-mode suppression ratio as large as 13.6 dB.

Analysis of optical vortices with suppressed sidelobes using modified Bessel-like function and trapezoid annulus modulation structures

Two amplitude modulation methods, including modified Bessel-like function modulation structure and trapezoid annulus structure, for suppressing sidelobes of optical vortices are studied. In the former approach, we propose that the order of the Bessel-like function can be an additional parameter to modulate diffraction patterns of optical vortices motivated by the idea of conventional annulus structures. Furthermore, new Bessel-like modulation functions are introduced to solve the problem of low diffraction efficiency of the original one. Trapezoid annulus structure is proposed as a compromise structure between the modified Bessel-like modulation structure and the conventional annulus one, and has advantages of both. It is demonstrated that these two approaches can achieve high-quality optical vortices with suppressed sidelobes effectively, and the relative structures behave as more flexible and applicable structures for producing optical vortices with large coverage of topological charges, which suggests great potential in simplifying the structure designing procedure. These reliable and generalized structures for generating high-quality optical vortices will help to promote the development of future optical communication and optical manipulation significantly.

Simple technique for generating the perfect optical vortex

We propose an improved technique for generating the perfect optical vortex. This technique is notable for the simplicity of its practical realization and high quality of the results. The efficiency of the proposed technique is illustrated with the results of physical experiments and an example of its application in optical trapping of small particles.

Edge extraction using a time-varying vortex beam in incoherent digital holography

Edge extraction using a time-varying vortex beam (TV-VB) is demonstrated in optical scanning holography (OSH) operating in an incoherent mode. OSH is a two-pupil heterodyne scanning optical system. We propose that one of the pupil functions used is a delta function and the other pupil function is a spiral phase plate (SPP). The interference of these pupils creates a TV-VB to scan over an object to record the edge-only information of an object holographically. We also find that a reconstructed edge with better contrast is achieved by translating the SPP away from the pupil plane. Experimental results are compared with computer simulations and found to be in good agreement.

Generation of the "perfect" optical vortex using a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator

We introduce the concept of the perfect optical vortex whose dark hollow radius does not depend on the topological charge. It is shown analytically and experimentally that such a vortex can be approximately generated in the Fourier transforming optical system with a computer-controlled liquid-crystal spatial light modulator.

Fast vectorial calculation of the volumetric focused field distribution by using a three-dimensional Fourier transform

We show that the volumetric field distribution in the focal region of a high numerical aperture focusing system can be efficiently calculated with a three-dimensional Fourier transform. In addition to focusing in a single medium, the method is able to calculate the more complex case of focusing through a planar interface between two media of mismatched refractive indices. The use of the chirp z-transform in our numerical implementation of the method allows us to perform fast calculations of the three-dimensional focused field distribution with good accuracy.

Structured light for focusing surface plasmon polaritons

We propose a structureless method for focusing surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) on a flat metal film under illumination of radially polarized cogwheel-like structured light beams. Without metal structures, the locally induced SPPs can further be propagated following the predefined patterns to form symmetric focal spots with dimensions beyond diffraction limit. Benefiting from the radial polarization, this method can be employed to pattern various center-symmetric evanescent distributions for generating SPPs reconfigurably. The SPPs will be propagating and focusing in radial directions.

Modified optical vortices for encoding topological charges with principal-sidelobe ring relationships

We study modified optical vortices for encoding topological charges based on radius ratios between principal and the modified first sidelobe rings. The method is immune to harassments from alignment and phase matching between the beams and optical elements. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the radius ratios and their corresponding modulation parameters are independent to wavelength and size of the spiral phase mask.

Explicit relations and optimal parameters for sidelobe suppression in optical vortices with a modified Bessel function

This paper establishes explicit relations between the radial modulation and the optimal sidelobe expression effect in the Bessel-like modulation technique. It verifies that both central and outer ring areas of the phase plate result in sidelobes in the diffraction pattern, and the corresponding structural dimensions can be determined quantitatively. This approach gives rise to complete sidelobe suppression by taking optimal modulation parameters.

Generalized approach to modifying optical vortices with suppressed sidelobes using Bessel-like functions

We propose a generalized approach to producing optical vortices with suppressed sidelobes using a variable Bessel-like function added to the conventional spiral phase plate. Experimental verifications are implemented by a phase-only spatial light modulator. It is demonstrated that the method is valid for optical vortex beams with arbitrary topological charges and without changing the primary ring size as a unique property among the existing techniques.

Achromatic design for the generation of optical vortices based on radial spiral phase plates

A multi-element design scheme is proposed to produce optical vortices of large spectrum width. The key component within the approach is a radially modulated spiral phase plate. Apart from a conventional spiral phase plate having an azimuthal phase function, the proposed element possesses an additional change of phase in the radial direction.

Vortex characteristics of Fraunhofer diffractions of a plane wave by a spiral phase plate limited by pseudoring polygonal apertures

We introduce a multilevel spiral phase plate (SPP) limited by a pseudoring polygonal aperture (PRPA). Such an SPP has the advantages of easier fabrication and greater suppression of the sidelobes of the diffraction field over that generated with a polygonal aperture (PA). The Fraunhofer diffraction fields generated by an SPP with a PRPA or with a PA have the same topological charge features and a similar diffraction pattern. Numerical evaluations show that the maximum bright annular-intensity difference between the diffraction patterns for the SPP with a PRPA and that of a PA does not exceed 3% under optimal design parameters.

Diffraction of a finite-radius plane wave and a Gaussian beam by a helical axicon and a spiral phase plate

We derive what we believe to be new analytical relations to describe the Fraunhofer diffraction of the finite-radius plane wave by a helical axicon (HA) and a spiral phase plate (SPP). The solutions are deduced in the form of a series of the Bessel functions for the HA and a finite sum of the Bessel functions for the SPP. The solution for the HA changes to that for the SPP if the axicon parameter is set equal to zero. We also derive what we believe to be new analytical relations to describe the Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction of the Gaussian beam by a HA are derived. The solutions are deduced in the form of a series of the hypergeometric functions. We have fabricated by photolithography a binary diffractive optical element (a HA with number n=10) able to produce in the focal plane of a spherical lens an optical vortex, which was then used to perform rotation of several polystyrene beads of diameter 5 microm.

Sidelobe contrast reduction for optical vortex beams using a helical axicon

We present a new approach for generating an optical vortex pattern with reduced sidelobes without increasing the radius of the vortex and without excessive energy loss. Our technique combines the spiral phase plate with a weak axicon to form a helical axicon. Experimental results using a liquid crystal display agree with theory.