Mode-selective Image Upconversion

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a nonlinear optical method for mode-selective image upconversion, enabling high-efficiency conversion of specific transverse modes with potential applications in imaging and quantum communication.

Contribution

It introduces a novel nonlinear approach that achieves selective upconversion of optical modes by shaping the pump wave's spatial profile, surpassing linear methods.

Findings

Achieved up to 60 times higher efficiency for targeted modes

Demonstrated mode selectivity in Laguerre-Gaussian modes

Potential applications in imaging and quantum communication

Abstract

We study selective upconversion of optical signals according to their detailed transverse electromagnetic modes, and demonstrate its proof of operations in a nonlinear crystal. The mode selectivity is achieved by preparing the pump wave in an optimized spatial profile to drive the upconversion. For signals in the Laguerre-Gaussian modes, we show that a mode can be converted with up to 60 times higher efficiency than an overlapping but orthogonal mode. This nonlinear-optical approach may find applications in compressive imaging, pattern recognition, quantum communications, and others where the existing linear-optical methods are limited.