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:2610.10842

Optimal Diffractive Focusing of Vortex Beams

Roohollah Ghobadi, Carrie Rodriguez, Lukas Scarfe, Maxim A. Efremov, Ebrahim Karimi

physics.opticsquant-phSubmitted Oct 7, 2026• Announced Oct 9, 2026
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We formulate diffractive ring focusing of paraxial beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) through a finite circular aperture as a variational optimization problem. For a fixed topological charge, we determine the real-valued radial pupil that maximizes the intensity at a prescribed ring radius and propagation distance under a normalization constraint on the input field. The resulting problem admits an exact analytical solution: the optimal pupil combines the familiar Fresnel phase structure with an OAM-dependent Bessel radial modulation, and the associated eigenvalue yields a rigorous upper bound on the achievable ring intensity. We further analyze the lens-assisted configuration and derive a simple bound that allows direct comparison between diffractive and refractive vortex focusing. The theory also provides a quantitative framework for evaluating the performance of practical mask designs, including binary Fresnel-Bessel zone plates and amplitude-weighted pupils. We have experimentally tested our predictions in the optical domain by implementing the corresponding vortex beam pupils and comparing their propagation and focusing performance with the optimal solution. Our results establish the vortex-beam analogue of optimal amplitude-only focusing and identify the fundamental limits governing diffractive concentration of structured waves

Related papers

Orbital Angular Momentum Transfer and Beam-Quality Limits in Fork-Grating Electron Diffraction

P. K. Tsiopa, S. S. Baturin

We analyze fork-grating generation of electron vortex beams beyond the ideal single-mode approximation. The incident beam is described as a paraxial Gaussian ensemble with finite transverse momentum spread and a first electromagnetic Hartree phase accumulated before the grating. Within Fresnel propagation we derive an analytical expression for each diffraction order and determine the corresponding orbital-angular-momentum statistics. The mean OAM of a selected order remains fixed by the topological rule, $\langle L_z\rangle_m=mp\hbar$, while its variance is set by the residual transverse momentum spread of the beam prepared at the grating. For the Gaussian mixture, the transverse purity is $\mathcal P_{\perp,m}=[1+2(ΔL_{z,m}/\hbar)^2]^{-1}$. The observed annular profile is governed by a separate propagation-dependent blurring scale, so a beam can retain well-defined mean OAM while having low transverse purity or a partially filled vortex minimum. Within the radial phase-screen approximation, the Hartree self-field modifies the propagated profile while preserving the full-plane OAM moments and transverse purity.

physics.opticsCross-listedarXiv:2610.18401•Oct 14, 2026

Generation of high-OAM ultraviolet twisted light for RF-photoinjector applications

A. S. Dyatlov, D. M. Dolgintsev, V. V. Gerasimov +7 more

The generation of relativistic vortex electron beams via photoemission requires ultraviolet laser beams with well-controlled orbital angular momentum (OAM) and compatibility with radio-frequency (RF) photoinjector drive-laser systems. High-OAM vortex beams at a wavelength of 266 nm are generated using three fabricated diffractive optical elements integrated into an operational photoinjector beamline: a reflective fork grating, a high-topological-charge spiral phase plate, and binary axicons. The spiral phase plate produces a high-purity Laguerre-Gaussian mode with an OAM of l = 64 and a conversion efficiency of 80%, whereas binary axicons generate low-divergence quasi-Bessel beams forming a superposition of multiple OAM states with a finite OAM bandwidth imposed by their binary phase structure. Fork gratings provide flexible access to lower OAM values and enable robust modal diagnostics. The generated beams are characterized using cylindrical-lens mode conversion and radial intensity analysis, demonstrating practical control of both the OAM content and spectral bandwidth of ultraviolet structured light for accelerator-based applications.

quant-pharXiv:2512.08442•Dec 10, 2025

Optical trapping with a perfect vortex beam

Mingzhou Chen, Michaël Mazilu, Yoshihiko Arita +2 more

Vortex beams with different topological charge usually have different profiles and radii of peak intensity. This introduces a degree of complexity the fair study of the nature of optical OAM (orbital angular momentum). To avoid this, we introduced a new approach by creating a perfect vortex beam using an annular illuminating beam with a fixed intensity profile on an SLM that imposes a chosen topological charge. The radial intensity profile of such an experimentally created perfect vortex beam is independent to any given integer value of its topological charge. The well-defined OAM density in such a perfect vortex beam is probed by trapping microscope particles. The rotation rate of a trapped necklace of particles is measured for both integer and non-integer topological charge. Experimental results agree with the theoretical prediction. With the flexibility of our approach, local OAM density can be corrected in situ to overcome the problem of trapping the particle in the intensity hotspots. The correction of local OAM density in the perfect vortex beam therefore enables a single trapped particle to move along the vortex ring at a constant angular velocity that is independent of the azimuthal position. Due to its particular nature, the perfect vortex beam may be applied to other studies in optical trapping of particles, atoms or quantum gases.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Sep 16, 2014•27 citations

Generation of “perfect” vortex of variable size and its effect in angular spectrum of the down-converted photons

M. V. Jabir, N. Apurv Chaitanya, Abdul Rahim Aadhi +1 more

The "perfect" vortex is a new class of optical vortex beam having ring radius independent of its topological charge (order). One of the simplest techniques to generate such beams is the Fourier transformation of the Bessel-Gauss beams. The variation in ring radius of such vortices require Fourier lenses of different focal lengths and or complicated imaging setup. Here we report a novel experimental scheme to generate perfect vortex of any ring radius using a convex lens and an axicon. As a proof of principle, using a lens of focal length f = 200 mm, we have varied the radius of the vortex beam across 0.3-1.18 mm simply by adjusting the separation between the lens and axicon. This is also a simple scheme to measure the apex angle of an axicon with ease. Using such vortices we have studied non-collinear interaction of photons having orbital angular momentum (OAM) in spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) process and observed that the angular spectrum of the SPDC photons are independent of OAM of the pump photons rather depends on spatial profile of the pump beam. In the presence of spatial walk-off effect in nonlinear crystals, the SPDC photons have asymmetric angular spectrum with reducing asymmetry at increasing vortex radius.

arXiv:1601.03129•Scientific Reports•Feb 25, 2016•117 citations

Efficient separating orbital angular momentum mode with radial varying phase

Cheng Li, Shengmei Zhao

It is shown that orbital angular momentum (OAM) is a promising new resource in future classical and quantum communications. However, the separation of OAM modes is still a big challenge. In this paper, we propose a simple and efficient separation method with a radial varying phase. In the method, specific radial varying phases are designed and modulated for different OAM modes. The resultant beam is focused to the spots with different horizontal and vertical positions after a convex lens, when the coordinate transformation, including two optical elements with coordinate transformation phase and correct phase, operates on the received beam. The horizontal position of the spot is determined by the vortex phases, and the vertical position of the spot is dependent on the radial varying phases. The simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method is feasible both for separation of two OAM modes and separation of three OAM modes. The proposed separation method is available in principle for any neighboring OAM modes because the radial varying phase is controlled. Additionally, no extra instruments are introduced, and there is no diffraction and narrowing process limitation for the separation.

Photonics Research•Jun 6, 2017•34 citations

Generation and characterization of 420 nm vortex bessel beam with tunable orbital angular momentum

Nawaz Sarif Mallick

Abstract This study presents a theoretical exploration of generating 420 nm Bessel-Gaussian beam with orbital angular momentum (OAM) via nonlinear processes in a four-level 85 Rb atomic system. A non-degenerate four-wave mixing (FWM) configuration, driven by two strong control fields at wavelengths 780 nm and 776 nm along with a weak field, enables the generation of the desired blue Bessel-Gaussian beam. Our analysis examines how the Bessel-Gaussian properties of the initial beams including intensity, phase profiles, and topological charges are transferred into the generated 420 nm beam at specific transverse positions. Using Maxwell’s wave equations, we explicitly explore how these spatial profiles evolve with varying topological charges over different propagation distances, providing deeper insights into Bessel-Gaussian information transfer mechanisms. The generation and characterization of 420 nm structured beam highlight promising applications, particularly in the precise manipulation of microparticles, due to their enhanced resolution and superior trapping abilities. This comprehensive theoretical framework establishes a foundation for future experimental and applied research in optical manipulation and high-resolution imaging.

Physica Scripta•Apr 14, 2025•5 citations
We formulate diffractive ring focusing of paraxial beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) through a finite circular aperture as a variational optimization problem. For a fixed topological charge, we determine the real-valued radial pupil that maximizes the intensity at a prescribed ring radius and propagation distance under a normalization constraint on the input field. The resulting problem admits an exact analytical solution: the optimal pupil combines the familiar Fresnel phase structure with an OAM-dependent Bessel radial modulation, and the associated eigenvalue yields a rigorous upper bound on the achievable ring intensity. We further analyze the lens-assisted configuration and derive a simple bound that allows direct comparison between diffractive and refractive vortex focusing. The theory also provides a quantitative framework for evaluating the performance of practical mask designs, including binary Fresnel-Bessel zone plates and amplitude-weighted pupils. We have experimentally tested our predictions in the optical domain by implementing the corresponding vortex beam pupils and comparing their propagation and focusing performance with the optimal solution. Our results establish the vortex-beam analogue of optimal amplitude-only focusing and identify the fundamental limits governing diffractive concentration of structured waves
We analyze fork-grating generation of electron vortex beams beyond the ideal single-mode approximation. The incident beam is described as a paraxial Gaussian ensemble with finite transverse momentum spread and a first electromagnetic Hartree phase accumulated before the grating. Within Fresnel propagation we derive an analytical expression for each diffraction order and determine the corresponding orbital-angular-momentum statistics. The mean OAM of a selected order remains fixed by the topological rule, ⟨Lz⟩m=mpℏ\langle L_z\rangle_m=mp\hbar⟨Lz​⟩m​=mpℏ, while its variance is set by the residual transverse momentum spread of the beam prepared at the grating. For the Gaussian mixture, the transverse purity is P⊥,m=[1+2(ΔLz,m/ℏ)2]−1\mathcal P_{\perp,m}=[1+2(ΔL_{z,m}/\hbar)^2]^{-1}P⊥,m​=[1+2(ΔLz,m​/ℏ)2]−1. The observed annular profile is governed by a separate propagation-dependent blurring scale, so a beam can retain well-defined mean OAM while having low transverse purity or a partially filled vortex minimum. Within the radial phase-screen approximation, the Hartree self-field modifies the propagated profile while preserving the full-plane OAM moments and transverse purity.
The generation of relativistic vortex electron beams via photoemission requires ultraviolet laser beams with well-controlled orbital angular momentum (OAM) and compatibility with radio-frequency (RF) photoinjector drive-laser systems. High-OAM vortex beams at a wavelength of 266 nm are generated using three fabricated diffractive optical elements integrated into an operational photoinjector beamline: a reflective fork grating, a high-topological-charge spiral phase plate, and binary axicons. The spiral phase plate produces a high-purity Laguerre-Gaussian mode with an OAM of l = 64 and a conversion efficiency of 80%, whereas binary axicons generate low-divergence quasi-Bessel beams forming a superposition of multiple OAM states with a finite OAM bandwidth imposed by their binary phase structure. Fork gratings provide flexible access to lower OAM values and enable robust modal diagnostics. The generated beams are characterized using cylindrical-lens mode conversion and radial intensity analysis, demonstrating practical control of both the OAM content and spectral bandwidth of ultraviolet structured light for accelerator-based applications.
Vortex beams with different topological charge usually have different profiles and radii of peak intensity. This introduces a degree of complexity the fair study of the nature of optical OAM (orbital angular momentum). To avoid this, we introduced a new approach by creating a perfect vortex beam using an annular illuminating beam with a fixed intensity profile on an SLM that imposes a chosen topological charge. The radial intensity profile of such an experimentally created perfect vortex beam is independent to any given integer value of its topological charge. The well-defined OAM density in such a perfect vortex beam is probed by trapping microscope particles. The rotation rate of a trapped necklace of particles is measured for both integer and non-integer topological charge. Experimental results agree with the theoretical prediction. With the flexibility of our approach, local OAM density can be corrected in situ to overcome the problem of trapping the particle in the intensity hotspots. The correction of local OAM density in the perfect vortex beam therefore enables a single trapped particle to move along the vortex ring at a constant angular velocity that is independent of the azimuthal position. Due to its particular nature, the perfect vortex beam may be applied to other studies in optical trapping of particles, atoms or quantum gases.
The "perfect" vortex is a new class of optical vortex beam having ring radius independent of its topological charge (order). One of the simplest techniques to generate such beams is the Fourier transformation of the Bessel-Gauss beams. The variation in ring radius of such vortices require Fourier lenses of different focal lengths and or complicated imaging setup. Here we report a novel experimental scheme to generate perfect vortex of any ring radius using a convex lens and an axicon. As a proof of principle, using a lens of focal length f = 200 mm, we have varied the radius of the vortex beam across 0.3-1.18 mm simply by adjusting the separation between the lens and axicon. This is also a simple scheme to measure the apex angle of an axicon with ease. Using such vortices we have studied non-collinear interaction of photons having orbital angular momentum (OAM) in spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) process and observed that the angular spectrum of the SPDC photons are independent of OAM of the pump photons rather depends on spatial profile of the pump beam. In the presence of spatial walk-off effect in nonlinear crystals, the SPDC photons have asymmetric angular spectrum with reducing asymmetry at increasing vortex radius.
It is shown that orbital angular momentum (OAM) is a promising new resource in future classical and quantum communications. However, the separation of OAM modes is still a big challenge. In this paper, we propose a simple and efficient separation method with a radial varying phase. In the method, specific radial varying phases are designed and modulated for different OAM modes. The resultant beam is focused to the spots with different horizontal and vertical positions after a convex lens, when the coordinate transformation, including two optical elements with coordinate transformation phase and correct phase, operates on the received beam. The horizontal position of the spot is determined by the vortex phases, and the vertical position of the spot is dependent on the radial varying phases. The simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method is feasible both for separation of two OAM modes and separation of three OAM modes. The proposed separation method is available in principle for any neighboring OAM modes because the radial varying phase is controlled. Additionally, no extra instruments are introduced, and there is no diffraction and narrowing process limitation for the separation.
Abstract This study presents a theoretical exploration of generating 420 nm Bessel-Gaussian beam with orbital angular momentum (OAM) via nonlinear processes in a four-level 85 Rb atomic system. A non-degenerate four-wave mixing (FWM) configuration, driven by two strong control fields at wavelengths 780 nm and 776 nm along with a weak field, enables the generation of the desired blue Bessel-Gaussian beam. Our analysis examines how the Bessel-Gaussian properties of the initial beams including intensity, phase profiles, and topological charges are transferred into the generated 420 nm beam at specific transverse positions. Using Maxwell’s wave equations, we explicitly explore how these spatial profiles evolve with varying topological charges over different propagation distances, providing deeper insights into Bessel-Gaussian information transfer mechanisms. The generation and characterization of 420 nm structured beam highlight promising applications, particularly in the precise manipulation of microparticles, due to their enhanced resolution and superior trapping abilities. This comprehensive theoretical framework establishes a foundation for future experimental and applied research in optical manipulation and high-resolution imaging.