Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1311.4811 · Optics Express

Rapid generation of light beams carrying orbital angular momentum

Mohammad Mirhosseini, Omar S. Magaña‐Loaiza, Changchen Chen, Brandon Rodenburg, Mehul Malik, Robert W. Boyd

Published Dec 2, 2013• 279 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We report a technique for encoding both amplitude and phase variations onto a laser beam using a single digital micro-mirror device (DMD). Using this technique, we generate Laguerre-Gaussian and vortex orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) modes, along with modes in a set that is mutually unbiased with respect to the OAM basis. Additionally, we have demonstrated rapid switching among the generated modes at a speed of 4 kHz, which is much faster than the speed regularly achieved by phase-only spatial light modulators (SLMs). The dynamic control of both phase and amplitude of a laser beam is an enabling technology for classical communication and quantum key distribution (QKD) systems that employ spatial mode encoding.

DOI
10.1364/oe.21.030196

Related papers

Fast generation and detection of spatial modes of light using an acousto-optic modulator

Boris Braverman, Alexander Skerjanc, Nicholas M. Sullivan +1 more

Spatial modes of light provide a high-dimensional space that can be used to encode both classical and quantum information. Current approaches for dynamically generating and measuring these modes are slow, due to the need to reconfigure a high-resolution phase mask such as a spatial light modulator or digital micromirror device. The process of updating the spatial mode of light can be greatly accelerated by multiplexing a set of static phase masks with a fast, image-preserving optical switch, such as an acousto-optic modulator (AOM). We experimentally realize this approach, using a double-pass AOM to generate one of five orbital angular momentum states with a switching rate of up to 500 kHz. We then apply this system to perform fast quantum state tomography of spatial modes of light in a 2-dimensional Hilbert space by projecting the unknown state onto six spatial modes comprising three mutually unbiased bases. We are able to reconstruct arbitrary states in under 1 ms with an average fidelity of 96.9%.

arXiv:2007.16115•Optics Express•Sep 6, 2020•22 citations

Studies on the Generation and Detection of Orbital Angular Momentum Based on Beam-Shaping Techniques

Xijie Luo

Light carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) has many applications ranging from optical manipulation, imaging and remote sensing, and optical communications, and can be used to perform fundamental studies in quantum mechanics and quantum information. Moreover, single photons with high-order OAM allow for increasing the amount of information carried per photon in quantum communication. This thesis describes the study of methods for the preparation and detection of OAM of light in high mode order by utilizing beam shaping techniques using spatial light modulators (SLMs). The quality of the generated high-order OAM mode is limited by optical aberrations which are induced by optical elements in realistic systems and propagation through realistic channels. In order to create and characterize the OAM modes with high quality, we investigate methods for aberration detection and correction using SLMs. These beam shaping techniques for the correction of optical aberrations allow us to generate and detect light carrying OAM with mode order ranging from l = 0 to l = 8 with good quality, and to generate high-quality superpositions of OAM modes with high mode order or in high dimensions. Furthermore, we observe low crosstalk and good levels of mode discrimination between different OAM modes of light. Our experimental setup can be applied in future studies to investigate and test different protocols in quantum information with high dimensional systems, such as high dimensional quantum state tomography.

•Jan 1, 2019•0 citations

Spatially multiplexed orbital-angular-momentum-encoded single photon and classical channels in a free-space optical communication link

Yongxiong Ren, Cong Liu, Kai Pang +9 more

We experimentally demonstrate spatial multiplexing of an orbital angular momentum (OAM)-encoded quantum channel and a classical Gaussian beam with a different wavelength and orthogonal polarization. Data rates as large as 100 MHz are achieved by encoding on two different OAM states by employing a combination of independently modulated laser diodes and helical phase holograms. The influence of OAM mode spacing, encoding bandwidth, and interference from the co-propagating Gaussian beam on registered photon count rates and quantum bit error rates is investigated. Our results show that the deleterious effects of intermodal crosstalk effects on system performance become less important for OAM mode spacing Δ≥2 (corresponding to a crosstalk value of less than -18.5 dB). The use of OAM domain can additionally offer at least 10.4 dB isolation besides that provided by wavelength and polarization, leading to a further suppression of interference from the classical channel.

Optics Letters•Nov 21, 2017•27 citations

Extending the OAM spiral bandwidth by radial mode control (Conference Presentation)

Andrew Forbes

The most common approach to create orbital angular momentum (OAM) carrying vortex beams is by modulating a Gaussian beam with an azimuthal phase profile. This results in a beam with many radial modes and hence reduced power in the desired mode. Here we show that it is possible to select the mode size of the Laguerre-Gaussian basis so that the power in the detected p = 0 mode is maximised. We outline the idea theoretically and confirm it experimentally with both classical and quantum tests, demonstrating a power increase by as much as 50x. The consequence is higher signal-to- noise in optical communication and larger available dimensions in quantum entanglement experiments when using OAM modes as a basis.

Quantum Communications and Quantum Imaging•Sep 10, 2019•0 citations

Encoding mutually unbiased bases in orbital angular momentum for quantum key distribution

Angela L. Dudley, Mhlambululi Mafu, Sandeep K. Goyal +7 more

We encode mutually unbiased bases (MUBs) using the higher-dimensional orbital angular momentum (OAM) degree of freedom and illustrate how these states are encoded on a phase-only spatial light modulator (SLM). We perform ( d - 1)- mutual unbiased measurements in both a classical prepare and measure scheme and on entangled photon pairs for dimensions ranging from d = 2 to 5. The calculated average error rate, mutual information and secret key rate show an increase in information capacity as well as higher generation rates as the dimension increases.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Feb 25, 2014•1 citation

Propagation-invariant high-dimensional orbital angular momentum states

Li-Wei Mao, Dong-Sheng Ding, Carmelo Rosales‐Guzmán +1 more

Abstract Photonic states encoded in spatial modes of paraxial light fields provide a promising platform for high-dimensional quantum information protocols and related studies, where several pioneering theoretical and experimental demonstrations have paved the path for future technologies. Crucially, critical issues encountered in free-space propagation still represent a major challenge. This is the case of asynchronous diffraction between spatial modes with different modal orders, which experience variations in their transverse structure upon free-space propagation. Here we address this issue by proposing an encoding method based on the use of Laguerre–Gaussian modes of the same modal order N to define a N + 1 dimensional space. Noteworthy, such modes endowed with orbital angular momentum (OAM) experience the same propagation aberrations featuring an identical Gouy phase and wavefront curvature. We demonstrate our proposal experimentally by using time-correlated-single-photon imaging combined with a digital propagation technique. Importantly, our technique allows to eliminate, without the use of imaging systems, all issues related to asynchronous diffraction, providing an accessible way to generate propagation-invariant OAM qudits for quantum optical protocols.

arXiv:2112.14511•Journal of Optics•Feb 11, 2022•6 citations
We report a technique for encoding both amplitude and phase variations onto a laser beam using a single digital micro-mirror device (DMD). Using this technique, we generate Laguerre-Gaussian and vortex orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) modes, along with modes in a set that is mutually unbiased with respect to the OAM basis. Additionally, we have demonstrated rapid switching among the generated modes at a speed of 4 kHz, which is much faster than the speed regularly achieved by phase-only spatial light modulators (SLMs). The dynamic control of both phase and amplitude of a laser beam is an enabling technology for classical communication and quantum key distribution (QKD) systems that employ spatial mode encoding.
Spatial modes of light provide a high-dimensional space that can be used to encode both classical and quantum information. Current approaches for dynamically generating and measuring these modes are slow, due to the need to reconfigure a high-resolution phase mask such as a spatial light modulator or digital micromirror device. The process of updating the spatial mode of light can be greatly accelerated by multiplexing a set of static phase masks with a fast, image-preserving optical switch, such as an acousto-optic modulator (AOM). We experimentally realize this approach, using a double-pass AOM to generate one of five orbital angular momentum states with a switching rate of up to 500 kHz. We then apply this system to perform fast quantum state tomography of spatial modes of light in a 2-dimensional Hilbert space by projecting the unknown state onto six spatial modes comprising three mutually unbiased bases. We are able to reconstruct arbitrary states in under 1 ms with an average fidelity of 96.9%.
Light carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) has many applications ranging from optical manipulation, imaging and remote sensing, and optical communications, and can be used to perform fundamental studies in quantum mechanics and quantum information. Moreover, single photons with high-order OAM allow for increasing the amount of information carried per photon in quantum communication. This thesis describes the study of methods for the preparation and detection of OAM of light in high mode order by utilizing beam shaping techniques using spatial light modulators (SLMs). The quality of the generated high-order OAM mode is limited by optical aberrations which are induced by optical elements in realistic systems and propagation through realistic channels. In order to create and characterize the OAM modes with high quality, we investigate methods for aberration detection and correction using SLMs. These beam shaping techniques for the correction of optical aberrations allow us to generate and detect light carrying OAM with mode order ranging from l = 0 to l = 8 with good quality, and to generate high-quality superpositions of OAM modes with high mode order or in high dimensions. Furthermore, we observe low crosstalk and good levels of mode discrimination between different OAM modes of light. Our experimental setup can be applied in future studies to investigate and test different protocols in quantum information with high dimensional systems, such as high dimensional quantum state tomography.
We experimentally demonstrate spatial multiplexing of an orbital angular momentum (OAM)-encoded quantum channel and a classical Gaussian beam with a different wavelength and orthogonal polarization. Data rates as large as 100 MHz are achieved by encoding on two different OAM states by employing a combination of independently modulated laser diodes and helical phase holograms. The influence of OAM mode spacing, encoding bandwidth, and interference from the co-propagating Gaussian beam on registered photon count rates and quantum bit error rates is investigated. Our results show that the deleterious effects of intermodal crosstalk effects on system performance become less important for OAM mode spacing Δ≥2 (corresponding to a crosstalk value of less than -18.5 dB). The use of OAM domain can additionally offer at least 10.4 dB isolation besides that provided by wavelength and polarization, leading to a further suppression of interference from the classical channel.
The most common approach to create orbital angular momentum (OAM) carrying vortex beams is by modulating a Gaussian beam with an azimuthal phase profile. This results in a beam with many radial modes and hence reduced power in the desired mode. Here we show that it is possible to select the mode size of the Laguerre-Gaussian basis so that the power in the detected p = 0 mode is maximised. We outline the idea theoretically and confirm it experimentally with both classical and quantum tests, demonstrating a power increase by as much as 50x. The consequence is higher signal-to- noise in optical communication and larger available dimensions in quantum entanglement experiments when using OAM modes as a basis.
We encode mutually unbiased bases (MUBs) using the higher-dimensional orbital angular momentum (OAM) degree of freedom and illustrate how these states are encoded on a phase-only spatial light modulator (SLM). We perform ( d - 1)- mutual unbiased measurements in both a classical prepare and measure scheme and on entangled photon pairs for dimensions ranging from d = 2 to 5. The calculated average error rate, mutual information and secret key rate show an increase in information capacity as well as higher generation rates as the dimension increases.
Abstract Photonic states encoded in spatial modes of paraxial light fields provide a promising platform for high-dimensional quantum information protocols and related studies, where several pioneering theoretical and experimental demonstrations have paved the path for future technologies. Crucially, critical issues encountered in free-space propagation still represent a major challenge. This is the case of asynchronous diffraction between spatial modes with different modal orders, which experience variations in their transverse structure upon free-space propagation. Here we address this issue by proposing an encoding method based on the use of Laguerre–Gaussian modes of the same modal order N to define a N + 1 dimensional space. Noteworthy, such modes endowed with orbital angular momentum (OAM) experience the same propagation aberrations featuring an identical Gouy phase and wavefront curvature. We demonstrate our proposal experimentally by using time-correlated-single-photon imaging combined with a digital propagation technique. Importantly, our technique allows to eliminate, without the use of imaging systems, all issues related to asynchronous diffraction, providing an accessible way to generate propagation-invariant OAM qudits for quantum optical protocols.