Holographic Mapping of Orbital Angular Momentum Using a Terahertz Diffractive Optical Neural Network

TL;DR

This paper introduces a compact, 3D-printed diffractive optical neural network that effectively recognizes and maps multiple orbital angular momentum states in the terahertz range, enhancing communication and imaging capabilities.

Contribution

It presents a novel THz diffractive optical neural network capable of recognizing multiple OAM modes with high fidelity, fabricated via low-cost 3D printing for scalable applications.

Findings

Successfully discriminates nine OAM modes at 0.3 THz

Demonstrates high-fidelity mode recognition and mapping

Offers a practical, low-cost approach for THz OAM decoding

Abstract

Using orbital angular momentum (OAM) in the terahertz (THz) range provides a new degree of freedom for communication and imaging systems. This study presents a compact diffractive optical neural network designed to recognize discrete and superposed OAM states at THz frequencies. The network consists of six diffractive layers trained to spatially separate nine OAM modes with topological charges from 1 to 9. Each mode is projected to a distinct position on the output plane, enabling direct recognition of its state. The structure was fabricated through low-cost 3D printing techniques with high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), allowing for scalable and practical implementations. Experimental validation at 0.3 THz demonstrates good fidelity of mode discrimination and mapping. The proposed approach offers a robust and economical pathway for OAM decoding, offering new opportunities for beam manipulation through THz systems based on diffractive optical neural networks.