The efficient sorting of light's orbital angular momentum for optical communications

  • Martin P. J. Lavery*
  • , David Robertson
  • , Mehul Malik
  • , Brandon Rodenburg
  • , Johannes Courtial
  • , Robert W. Boyd
  • , Miles J. Padgett
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We have developed a mode transformer comprising two custom refractive optical elements which convert orbital angular momentum states into transverse momentum states. This transformation efficiently measures the orbital angular momentum content of an input light beam, allowing the decoding of OAM states within a free-space communications channel. Turbulence is a key issue within such a channel. Through the use of a phase only spatial light modulator, turbulence is simulated, and the cross talk between detected OAM modes is observed. We study this crosstalk for eleven OAM modes, showing that turbulence equally degrades the purity of all the modes within this range.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationElectro-Optical Remote Sensing, Photonic Technologies, and Applications VI
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Print)9780819492838
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Nov 2012
EventSPIE Security + Defence 2012 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Duration: 24 Sept 201226 Sept 2012

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
Volume8542
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceSPIE Security + Defence 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityEdinburgh
Period24/09/1226/09/12

Keywords

  • optical communications
  • orbital angular momentum
  • turbulence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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