Generation of femtosecond optical vortices using a single refractive optical element

Moh, K. J.; Yuan, Xiaocong; Tang, Ding; Cheong, Wai Chye; Zhang, L. S.; Low, D. K. Y.; Xu, Peng; Niu, Hanben; Lin, Ziyang

doi:10.1063/1.2178507

Cited by 56 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Optical vortices of topological charge 1 = were produced in one of the output ports by positioning a spiral phase plate (SPP)[HoloOr VL-209-M-Y-A] directly after the first beam splitter. Because the SPP was constructed using 16 different step heights and due to a mismatch between the final step height and radiation other than 800 nm, all radiation is not expected to be in the desired mode 1 0 LG [1,11]. Immediately following the SPP, only the spatial phase of the beam is modified, leaving the transverse amplitude distribution the same as the incoming radiation.…”

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confidence: 99%

Coherent transfer of optical orbital angular momentum in multi-order Raman sideband generation

et al. 2012

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Experimental results from the generation of Raman sidebands using optical vortices are presented. By generating two sets of sidebands originating from different locations in a Raman active crystal, one set containing optical orbital angular momentum and the other serving as a reference, a Young's double slit experiment was simultaneously realized for each sideband. The interference between the two sets of sidebands was used to determine the helicity and topological charge in each order. Topological charges in all orders were found to be discrete and follow selection rules predicted by a cascaded Raman process.

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confidence: 99%

Coherent transfer of optical orbital angular momentum in multi-order Raman sideband generation

et al. 2012

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“…Holograms recorded on photographic film are not suitable for high intensities as the film will be damaged. SLMs are more robust than film but are still less suitable for high intensities than SPPs [12,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages depending on the application. For example, photographic methods offer high resolution capabilities compared to an SLM or an SPP [13]. However, photographic and SPP methods are inflexible compared to SLMs (which can be easily reprogrammed).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ultrashort intense-field optical vortices produced with laser-etched mirrors

2007

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We introduce a simple and practical method to create ultrashort intense optical vortices for applications involving high-intensity lasers. Our method utilizes femtosecond laser pulses to laser etch grating lines into laser-quality gold mirrors. These grating lines holographically encode an optical vortex. We derive mathematical equations for each individual grating line to be etched, for any desired (integer) topological charge. We investigate the smoothness of the etched grooves. We show that they are smooth enough to produce optical vortices with an intensity that is only a few percent lower than in the ideal case. We demonstrate that the etched gratings can be used in a folded version of our 2f-2f setup [Opt. Express 19, 7599 (2005)] to compensate angular dispersion. Finally, we show that the etched gratings withstand intensities of up to 10 12 W͞cm 2 .

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“…Therefore, SPPs appear as promising candidates to high power OV generation [6]. However, a recent work establishes some limitations of the technique when very short pulses are used [7]. In fact, for spectra presenting a FWHM higher than 40 nm, spatial chirp effects appear.…”

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High power vortex generation with volume phase holograms and non-linear experiments in gases

et al. 2008

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An experimental method for the production of high power optical vortices by using volume phase holographic plates is presented. Experiments in air, N 2 and Ar have been performed as an example of the method's potential, observing non-linear effects and filamentation. Theoretical calculations support the conclusions. Optical vortices (OVs) have been the object of intensive investigation due to their special properties concerning orbital angular momentum and spatial distribution [1]. Most of the works related to OVs have involved continuouswave (cw) and quasi-cw regimes. Recently, the generation of OVs in very short and intense light bursts has been a subject of interest. This will allow us to have access into the high-power regime for studying experimentally the behavior of non-linear vortex structures (i.e. propagation in Kerr media and filamentation).In order to generate the OVs with femtosecond pulses, two main approaches can be found in the literature. Both techniques have been exported from the cw regime, where they had already been consolidated. First, spiral phase plates (SPPs) are media where the optical path increases with the azimuthal angle, yielding an output beam with a helical phase front [2]. It has been shown that it is possible to generate vortex structures at the Ti:sapphire emission wavelength with efficiency of 55% and high damage thresholds [3]. Other materials, such as resists, offer higher efficiencies (around 80% [4]) and still quite high damage thresholds in the case of photoresists [5]. Therefore, SPPs appear as promising candidates to high power OV generation [6]. However, a recent work establishes some limitations of the technique when very short pulses are used [7]. In fact, for spectra presenting a FWHM higher than 40 nm, spatial chirp effects appear. Therefore, this u Fax: +34-923-2945-84, E-mail: ijsola@usal.es technique may have problems for pulses shorter than 30 fs. On the other hand, the manufacture of SPPs is expensive and demanding.The second technique uses the so-called computer-generated holograms (CGHs), gratings presenting some dislocations in the diffraction pattern that creates the vortex. Usually they consist of an amplitude mask [8], but alternative processing of CGHs has been reported [9]. Also, dynamic CGHs have been tested using liquid-crystal media [10]. In general, the CGH technique presents lower efficiencies than those obtained with the SPPs. However, because of its simplicity of production compared to the SPP making up process, it is a quite popular technique, too. In addition, CGHs have been adapted to the femtosecond regime using 2f-2f set-ups, in order to compensate the spatial chirp [11,12]. The main limitations of CGHs to date are the low damage threshold of the materials used, preventing the generation of high-power OVs, and the very low efficiency (as an exception, CGHs consisting of bleached plates [9] and liquid crystals (LCs) [10] present higher efficiency, compared to the more common amplitude CGHs).We propose an alternative way to generate...

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Generation of femtosecond optical vortices using a single refractive optical element

Cited by 56 publications

References 10 publications

Coherent transfer of optical orbital angular momentum in multi-order Raman sideband generation

Coherent transfer of optical orbital angular momentum in multi-order Raman sideband generation

Ultrashort intense-field optical vortices produced with laser-etched mirrors

High power vortex generation with volume phase holograms and non-linear experiments in gases

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