Production of orbital angular momentum states of optical vortex beams using a vortex half-wave retarder with double-pass configuration

Abstract

Higher orders of orbital angular momentum states (OAMs) of light have been produced with a double-pass configuration through a zero-order vortex half-wave retarder (VHWR). This double-pass technique can reduce the number of VHWR plates used, thus reducing costs. The OAM states of the vortex beams are identified by the near-field Talbot effect. Polarization dependence of the vortex states can also be demonstrated with this VHWR using Talbot effect. Without using the Talbot patterns, this effect of the polarization on the vortex beam can not be recognized. A theoretical validation has also been provided to complement the experimental results. Our study gives an improved understanding of this approach to use a VHWR plate.

Detection of atomic vortex beam using the near-field diffraction method

“…These patterns cannot be distinguished between positive and negative OAM states. Therefore, we introduced the Talbot effect to the detection [4,31,33]. The lower rows in figure 2 demonstrate the idea with N = 1, 2, 5, and 50, corresponding to z = 1L T , 2L T , 5L T , and 50L T , respectively.…”

“…In recent years, optical vortices have been observed as twisted light, which displays some characteristics pertaining to their discrete orbital angular momentum (OAM) along with a phase singularity [1][2][3][4]. Related phenomena have also been investigated in matter-wave vortices of Bose-Einstein condensates, where the wavefunctions are zero at the center.…”

Optimizing Tunable LC Devices with Twisted Light

“…The spiral wavefront of vortices possesses an orbital angular momentum (OAM) of lℏ per photon [60], by which a laser beam can transfer a mechanical torque to suspended particles, inducing a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation depending on the sign of the topological charge.…”

On quantum states for angular position and angular momentum of light

“…Experimental and theoretical explorations have been extended to the observations of fractional angular momentum as well as to the use of single photon sources (see, e.g. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] for various considerations).…”