arXiv:1803.04635 · Journal of Optics
Controlling the bi-photon orbital angular momentum eigenmodes using asymmetric pump vortex beam
M V Jabir, Ali Anwar, G K Samanta
Abstract
Abstract We report on controlling the bi-photon orbital angular momentum (OAM) eigenmodes in the spontaneous parametric down conversion process by simply adjusting the asymmetry of the pump vortex beam. Adjusting the optic axis of the spiral phase plate of phase winding corresponding to OAM mode, l , with respect to the beam propagation axis, we have transformed a Gaussian beam into an asymmetric vortex beam with OAM modes, l , l –1, l –2 …0 with different weightages. Pumping the nonlinear crystal with such asymmetric vortices and controlling their asymmetry we have tailored the spiral spectrum of the bi-photon OAM eigenmodes. Calculation of azimuthal Schmidt number of the bi-photons showed an increase in the spiral bandwidth of the OAM eigenmodes and hence the dimensionality of the system. Although we have restricted our study to show the increase in spiral bandwidth of the bi-photons by simply controlling the asymmetry of the pump vortices, the dimensionality of the bi-photon states can be enhanced further by manipulating the pump beam size and crystal length.