Spin-to-Orbital Angular Momentum Mapping of Polychromatic Light

Rafayelyan, Mushegh; Brasselet, Étienne

doi:10.1103/physrevlett.120.213903

Cited by 28 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 34 publications

(38 reference statements)

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“…In the field of optical materials, some optical elements, such as q-plates [13][14][15][16][17][18], semiconductor microcavities [19], and elements using metasurface [20][21][22][23] can be used to realize spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion (STOC) by flipping the spin direction [24]; however, only 2σ angular momentum can be converted from SAM to OAM with these techniques. STOC can also be induced in free space for nonparaxial light because of the spin-orbit interaction [25,26].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion in harmonic generation driven by intense circularly polarized laser

Zhang

Gong

et al. 2020

New J. Phys.

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Spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion (STOC) is a very important fundamental phenomenon governed by the conservation of total angular momentum (TAM). In optics, this conversion is usually associated with the vortex light carrying the orbital angular momentum (OAM). In this paper we demonstrate a new mechanism to achieve STOC via the interaction of an intense circularly polarized (CP) laser pulse with a solid density plasma target. We find that when a laser pulse with relativistic intensity is tightly focused, a longitudinal electric field is induced owing to the finite transverse size and profile of the laser field. Therefore, even for the normally incident CP laser, the induced longitudinal electric field can drive an oscillating vortex plasma surface to emit the vortex harmonics when the laser interacts with the plasma target. Based on simulations and theoretical analysis, we verify this harmonic generation mechanism and reveal the STOC process in the harmonic generation. It is shown that the spin angular momenta of multiple fundamental-frequency photons are converted to the OAM of a single harmonic photon because of the TAM conservation. We also discuss the dynamical symmetries in the harmonic generation process, which physically constrains the harmonic orders, as well as the angular momenta. In addition, if a vortex laser beam or a spiral phase plate is used, the OAM of the harmonic photon becomes more tunable and controllable. This study provides a deep insight into the nature of the spin-orbital interaction in optics.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion in harmonic generation driven by intense circularly polarized laser

Zhang

Gong

et al. 2020

New J. Phys.

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“…1c), providing a full control over the reflective phase (0 to 2 π ) by simply rotating α from 0° to 180°. Particularly, it exhibits a chirality-dependent sign with + and – indicating left- and right-handedness respectively 20–22 . Here, the chirality inversion induced spin and phase profile conversions can be represented aswhere and denote left and right circular polarization (LCP/RCP), respectively.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The intrinsic rapid self-organization and high reflection of CLC superstructures make such elements easy-fabrication, cost/energy efficient, and bulk production available. Although the proposed devices cannot process both spin-states at once, a satisfactory solution 22 can be further introduced to upgrade their functions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chirality invertible superstructure mediated active planar optics

Chen

et al. 2019

Nat Commun

120

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Active planar optical devices that can dynamically manipulate light are highly sought after in modern optics and nanophotonics. The geometric phase derived from the photonic spin-orbit interaction provides an integrated strategy. Corresponding elements usually suffer from static functions. Here, we introduce an inhomogeneously self-organized anisotropic medium featured by photo-invertible chiral superstructure to realize geometric phase elements with continuously tunable working spectrum and light-flipped phase profile. Via preprograming the alignment of a cholesteric liquid crystal mixed with a photo-responsive chiral dopant, we demonstrate light-activated deflector, lens, Airy beam and optical vortex generators. Their polychromatic working bands are reversibly tuned in an ultra-broadband over 1000 nm covering green to telecomm region. The chirality inversion triggers facile switching of functionalities, such as beam steering, focusing/defocusing and spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion. This work offers a platform for advanced adaptive and multifunctional flat optics with merits of high compactness, low loss and broad bandwidth.

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“…Importantly, the present approach allows oneto-one mapping between the Poincaré sphere of polarization and the high-order Poincaré sphere of order l [18] for all wavelengths. This solves previous optical state dispersion drawbacks associated with the global processing of the whole spectrum using "Bragg-Berry" optical elements [19]. Note that broadband optical vortex generation based on geometric phase has been reported using various approaches [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]; however, none of them enables spectral agility of the associated photon orbital angular momentum.…”

Section: Multispectral Management Of the Photon Orbital Angular Momentummentioning

confidence: 93%