Generation of optical beams with desirable orbital angular momenta by transformation media

TL;DR

This paper introduces a transformation optics-based method to convert arbitrary incident beams into helical beams carrying specific orbital angular momentum using compact transformation slabs, confirmed by simulations and theoretical analysis.

Contribution

It presents a novel 3D phase transformation scheme to generate desired OAM beams from arbitrary incident beams using transformation media.

Findings

Successful conversion of Gaussian beams into helical OAM beams

Simulation results confirm spiraling evolution of the field and phase

Theoretical analysis shows helical refractive index distribution produces OAM

Abstract

We propose a scheme to controllably convert the wavefront of an arbitrary incident beam into a helical one by compact transformation slabs, thus enabling the output beam to carry desirable orbital angular momentum (OAM). First, based on transformation optics, a three-dimensional (3D) phase transformation between any two wavefronts by {\deg}at transformation media is established and then used to mold a wavefront of Gaussian beam into a helical one. Second, 3D FDTD simulations are performed to confirm the spiraling evolutions of the resultant field and phase, clearly demonstrating OAM generated. Further theoretical analyses show that the refractive index exhibiting a helical distribution leads to the oppositely spiral phase front and that it is feasible to produce desirable OAM by generators of unit OAM. The results not only provide an additional way to manipulate phase and photon OAM, but reciprocally shed further light on the phase structure of helical beams, which leads to a new transformation way by a surface.