Free-space propagation of spatio-temporal optical vortices (STOVs)

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the linear generation and free-space propagation of spatio-temporal optical vortices (STOVs), revealing their role in mediating space-time energy flow and conserving optical angular momentum, using advanced single-shot imaging techniques.

Contribution

It introduces the first demonstration of linear free-space propagation of STOVs and employs a novel diagnostic method for their detailed measurement.

Findings

STOVs mediate space-time energy flow within pulses

Conservation of optical angular momentum in space-time

Successful single-shot imaging of STOVs

Abstract

Spatio-temporal optical vortices (STOVs) are a new type of optical orbital angular momentum (OAM) with optical phase circulation in space-time. In prior work [N. Jhajj et al., Phys. Rev X 6, 031037 (2016)], we demonstrated that a STOV is a universal structure emerging from the arrest of self-focusing collapse leading to nonlinear self-guiding in material media. Here, we demonstrate linear generation and propagation in free space of STOV-carrying pulses. Our measurements and simulations demonstrate STOV mediation of space-time energy flow within the pulse and conservation of OAM in space-time. Single-shot amplitude and phase images of STOVs are taken using a new diagnostic, transient grating single-shot supercontinuum spectral interferometry (TG-SSSI).