Direct patterning of vortex generators on a fiber tip using a focused ion beam

Highly efficient vortex generation at the nanoscale

Control of the angular momentum of light at the nanoscale is critical for many applications of subwavelength photonics, such as high-capacity optical communications devices, super-resolution imaging and optical trapping. However, conventional approaches to generate optical vortices suffer from either low efficiency or relatively large device footprints. Here we show a new strategy for vortex generation at the nanoscale that surpasses single-pixel phase control. We reveal that interaction between neighbouring nanopillars of a meta-quadrumer can tailor both the intensity and phase of the transmitted light. Consequently, a subwavelength nanopillar quadrumer is sufficient to cover a 2lπ phase change, thus efficiently converting incident light into high-purity optical vortices with different topological charges l. Benefiting from the nanoscale footprint of the meta-quadrumers, we demonstrate high-density vortex beam arrays and high-dimensional information encryption, bringing a new degree of freedom to many designs of meta-devices.

Femtosecond laser inscribed helical long period fiber grating for exciting orbital angular momentum

A method employing femtosecond lasers to inscribe helical long period fiber grating (HLPFG) for exciting orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light is experimentally demonstrated. In this method, the refractive index modulation (RIM) of HLPFG is realized by three-dimensional translation of a fiber without rotation, indicating better stability, repeatability and flexibility. The coupling efficiency can be customized by varying the radius of the helical RIM, except laser energy. The characteristics of phase and polarization purity of the coupled modes in HLPFGs are studied. Results show that HLPFGs can directly excite OAM modes, the polarization state and helical phase of the mode can be adjusted independently, and the purity is the highest at resonant wavelength, over 91%.

A review of focused ion beam applications in optical fibers

Focused ion beam (FIB) technology has become a promising technique in micro- and nano-prototyping due to several advantages over its counterparts such as direct (maskless) processing, sub-10 nm feature size, and high reproducibility. Moreover, FIB machining can be effectively implemented on both conventional planar substrates and unconventional curved surfaces such as optical fibers, which are popular as an effective medium for telecommunications. Optical fibers have also been widely used as intrinsically light-coupled substrates to create a wide variety of compact fiber-optic devices by FIB milling diverse micro- and nanostructures onto the fiber surface (endfacet or outer cladding). In this paper, the broad applications of the FIB technology in optical fibers are reviewed. After an introduction to the technology, incorporating the FIB system and its basic operating modes, a brief overview of the lab-on-fiber technology is presented. Furthermore, the typical and most recent applications of the FIB machining in optical fibers for various applications are summarized. Finally, the reviewed work is concluded by suggesting the possible future directions for improving the micro- and nanomachining capabilities of the FIB technology in optical fibers.

Polarization holographic recording of vortex diffractive optical elements on azopolymer thin films and 3D analysis via phase-shifting digital holographic microscopy

Direct fabrication of complex diffractive optical elements (DOEs) on photosensitive thin films is of critical importance for the development of advanced optical instruments. In this paper, we design and investigate DOEs capable of generating optical vortices. Analog and digital approaches for one-step polarization holographic recording of vortex DOEs on new carbazole-based azopolymer thin films are described. First configuration involves analog polarization holographic recording using a vortex phase retarder and has as a result the DOE producing a diffraction pattern with phase singularities aligned in a single line. Similar diffraction picture is achieved by the single-beam digital holographic recording setup with an integrated spatial light modulator. In the third system, the implemented double-beam digital polarization holographic recording setup yields simultaneously a spatial multiplexed vortex pattern. Diffraction efficiency evolution of these three types of DOEs are monitored and compared. The phase-shifting digital holographic microscope with an electrically controlled liquid crystal variable retarder is applied to investigate the phase and surface topography of the inscribed diffractive optical elements. The comparison between the digital and analog micro-patterning techniques contributes new evidence to limited data on the influence of the analog and digital generation of the spiral wavefront on the performance of vortex DOEs.

3D nanoprinted kinoform spiral zone plates on fiber facets for high-efficiency focused vortex beam generation

In this paper, we propose and demonstrate an all-fiber high-efficiency focused vortex beam generator. The generator is fabricated by integrating a kinoform spiral zone plate (KSZP) on the top of the composite fiber structure using fs-laser two-photon polymerization 3D nanoprinting. The KSZP with spiral continuous-surface relief feature is designed by superimposing a spiral phase into a kinoform lens, which can efficiently concentrate and transform an all incident beam to a single-focus vortex beam, without the undesired zero-order diffracted light and extra high-order focus. Under arbitrary polarized light incident conditions, experiment results show that the focusing efficiency and vortex purity of the all-fiber generators are over 60% and 86%, respectively, which is much higher than that of a traditional binary SZP integrated on an optical fiber facet. In addition, characteristics of the generated vortex beam, such as focal spot, focal length and vortex topological charge are numerically designed and experimentally investigated. The experimental results agree well with the numerical simulation model using the FDTD algorithm. Due to the compact size, flexible design, polarization insensitivity, high focusing efficiency and high vortex purity, the proposed all-fiber photonic devices have promising potential in optical communication, particle manipulation and quantum computation applications.

Polarizing beam splitter integrated onto an optical fiber facet

When light either leaves or enters an optical fiber, one often needs free-space optical components to manipulate the state of polarization or the light's phase profile. It is therefore desirable to integrate such components onto a fiber end facet. In this paper, we realize, for the first time, a polarizing beam splitter fabricated directly onto the end facet of a single-mode optical fiber. The element is composed of a refractive prism, intentionally slightly displaced from the core of the fiber, and an elevated and suspended sub-wavelength diffraction grating, the lamellae of which have an aspect ratio of about 5. This integrated micro-optical component is characterized experimentally at 1550 nm wavelength. We find that the two emerging output beams exhibit a degree of polarization of 81 percent and 82 percent for Transverse Magnetic (TM) and Transverse Electric (TE) polarization, respectively.

Comparative analysis of direct laser writing and nanoimprint lithography for fabrication of optical phase elements

We report a comparison between two commercially available methods for printing phase shaping optical microstructures. Phase elements that convert a zero-order Hermite-Gaussian (HG₀₀) mode into higher-order modes (HG₁₀, HG₀₁, HG₂₀, and HG₀₂) were fabricated by 3D-direct laser writing (3D-DLW) and nanoimprint lithography (NIL). The structures in each method were characterized and the corresponding beam qualities were analyzed. The direct comparison of equivalent optical devices enables us to reveal the limitations and advantages of the two fabrication methods in order to optimize the fabrication of useful optical microstructure devices. 3D-DLW enables sharper edges and a straightforward lithography process, while NIL enables fabrication of thinner elements, and allows using a larger variety of optical materials including sol-gel glasses, which possess better surface optical quality.

Nanoimprint of a 3D structure on an optical fiber for light wavefront manipulation

Integration of complex photonic structures onto optical fiber facets enables powerful platforms with unprecedented optical functionalities. Conventional nanofabrication technologies, however, do not permit viable integration of complex photonic devices onto optical fibers owing to their low throughput and high cost. In this paper we report the fabrication of a three-dimensional structure achieved by direct nanoimprint lithography on the facet of an optical fiber. Nanoimprint processes and tools were specifically developed to enable a high lithographic accuracy and coaxial alignment of the optical device with respect to the fiber core. To demonstrate the capability of this new approach, a 3D beam splitter has been designed, imprinted and optically characterized. Scanning electron microscopy and optical measurements confirmed the good lithographic capabilities of the proposed approach as well as the desired optical performance of the imprinted structure. The inexpensive solution presented here should enable advancements in areas such as integrated optics and sensing, achieving enhanced portability and versatility of fiber optic components.

High refractive index Fresnel lens on a fiber fabricated by nanoimprint lithography for immersion applications

In this Letter, we present a Fresnel lens fabricated on the end of an optical fiber. The lens is fabricated using nanoimprint lithography of a functional high refractive index material, which is suitable for mass production. The main advantage of the presented Fresnel lens compared to a conventional fiber lens is its high refractive index (n=1.68), which enables efficient light focusing even inside other media, such as water or an adhesive. Measurement of the lens performance in an immersion liquid (n=1.51) shows a near diffraction limited focal spot of 810 nm in diameter at the 1/e² intensity level for a wavelength of 660 nm. Applications of such fiber lenses include integrated optics, optical trapping, and fiber probes.