No Arabic abstract
Vector vortex beams are structured states of light that are non-separable in their polarisation and spatial mode, they are eigenmodes of free-space and many fibre systems, and have the capacity to be used as a modal basis for both classical and quantum communication. Here we outline recent progress in our understanding of these modes, from their creation to their characterization and detection. We then use these tools to study the propagation behaviour of such modes in free-space and optical fibre and show that modal cross-talk results in a decay of vector states into separable scalar modes, with a concomitant loss of information. We present a comparison between probabilistic and deterministic detection schemes showing that the former, while ubiquitous, negates the very benefit of increased dimensionality in quantum communication while reducing signal in classical communication links. This work provides a useful introduction to the field as well as presenting new findings and perspectives to advance it further.
Free-space optical communication with spatial modes of light has become topical due to the possibility of dramatically increasing communication bandwidth via Mode Division Multiplexing (MDM). While both scalar and vector vortex modes have been used as transmission bases, it has been suggested that the latter is more robust in turbulence. Using orbital angular momentum as an example, we demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that the crosstalk due to turbulence is the same in the scalar and vector basis sets of such modes. This work brings new insights about the behaviour of vector and scalar modes in turbulence, but more importantly it demonstrates that when considering optimal modes for MDM, the choice should not necessarily be based on their vectorial nature.
From a geometric perspective, the caustic is the most classical description of a wavefunction since its evolution is governed by the Hamilton-Jacobi equation. On the other hand, according to the Madelung-de Broglie-Bohm equations, the most classical description of a solution to the Schrodinger equation is given by the zeros of the Madelung-Bohm potential. In this work, we compare these descriptions and, by analyzing how the rays are organized over the caustic, we find that the wavefunctions with fold caustic are the most classical beams because the zeros of the Madelung-Bohm potential coincide with the caustic. For another type of beams, the Madelung-Bohm potential is in general distinct to zero over the caustic. We have verified these results for the one-dimensional Airy and Pearcey beams, which accordingly to the catastrophe theory, their caustics are stable. Finally, we remark that for certain cases, the zeros of the Madelung-Bohm potential are linked with the superoscillation phenomenon.
Complex vector light modes with a spatial variant polarization distribution have become topical of late, enabling the development of novel applications in numerous research fields. Key to this is the remarkable similarities they hold with quantum entangled states, which arises from the non-separability between the spatial and polarisation degrees of freedom (DoF). As such, the demand for diversification of generation methods and characterization techniques have increased dramatically. Here we put forward a comprehensive tutorial about the use of DMDs in the generation and characterization of vector modes, providing details on the implementation of techniques that fully exploits the unsurpassed advantage of Digital Micromirrors Devices (DMDs), such as their high refresh rates and polarisation independence. We start by briefly describing the operating principles of DMD and follow with a thorough explanation of some of the methods to shape arbitrary vector modes. Finally, we describe some techniques aiming at the real-time characterization of vector beams. This tutorial highlights the value of DMDs as an alternative tool for the generation and characterization of complex vector light fields, of great relevance in a wide variety of applications.
Vector vortex beams have played a fundamental role in the better understanding of coherence and polarization. They are described by spatially inhomogeneous polarization states, which present a rich optical mode structure that has attracted much attention for applications in optical communications, imaging, spectroscopy and metrology. However, this complex mode structure can be quite detrimental when propagation effects such as turbulence and birefringence perturb the beam. Optical phase conjugation has been proposed as a method to recover an optical beam from perturbations. Here we demonstrate full phase conjugation of vector vortex beams using three-wave mixing. Our scheme exploits a fast non-linear process that can be conveniently controlled via the pump beam. Our results pave the way for sophisticated, practical applications of vector beams.
We present a quantum optics approach for describing stimulated parametric down conversion in the two type-I crystal sandwich configuration, which allows for parametric interaction of vector vortex beams. We analyze the conditions for which phase conjugation of the seed vector beam occurs. We then use two strategies for defining generalized Stokes parameters to describe phase conjugation of vector vortex beams. These allow for geometrical representations, such as higher-order Poincare spheres. Our results are useful for description and design of stimulated and spontaneous parametric down conversion experiments with vector vortex beams.