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Frontiers in Optics

Near-perfect sorting of orbital angular momentum: A step towards high-dimensional quantum communications

Mohammad Mirhosseini, Mehul Malik, Zhimin Shi, Malcolm N. O’Sullivan, Robert W. Boyd

Published Jan 1, 2013• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A novel technique is introduced for separation of orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) states of light. Using this method, we demonstrate the realization of a free-space communication link with a channel capacity of more than 4 bits per photon.
DOI
10.1364/fio.2013.fw4d.5

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Recently,the free space optical communication system based on orbital angular momentum( OAM) states multiplexing has become one of the hot topics in optical communications and quantum optics,because OAM states are new dimensional information carriers. An efficient orbital-angular-momentum-multiplexed free-space optical communication scheme is proposed,where the efficient orbital angular momentum states separation method is adopted. With this OAM separation method,different orbital angular momentum states can be obtained simultaneously from the superposition OAM state beam,which greatly saves time and the expensive devices for demodulating the information from the information-carrying OAM states. Numerical simulation results show that the proposed scheme can reduce time and the number of the devices at the receiver for the information retrieving. The bit error rate of the system can be less than 10- 4when the signal-to-noise ratio of the system is greater than 23 dB. Therefore,this OAMmultiplexed free-space optical communications scheme is proved to be feasible.
Orbital angular momentum (OAM) states of photons span a high-dimensional Hilbert space, and by using it, higher information capacity and enhanced security can be achieved for both classical communication and quantum key distribution. In this work, we propose a feasible basis-independent encoding scheme for OAM states and show its application in high-dimensional quantum secure direct communication, which enables direct transmission of meaningful messages, in addition to random secret key establishing. Imperfections of optical components may reduce the efficiency of the encoding scheme and, thus, the channel capacity. We discuss the optimal input distribution under realistic conditions to achieve maximal mutual information and an alternative solution using a different set of mutually unbiased bases in the case of a prime-dimensional quantum system.
The desire to increase the amount of information that can be encoded onto a single photon has driven research into many areas of optics. One such area is optical orbital angular momentum (OAM) [1]. These beams have helical phasefronts and carry an orbital angular momentum of mbar per photon, where the integer m is unbounded, giving a large state space in which to encode information. We recently developed a telescope system comprising two bespoke refractive optical elements to transform OAM states into transverse momentum states [2]. This is achieved by mapping the azimuthal position of the input plane to the lateral position in the output [3]. A mapping of this type transforms a set of concentric rings at the input plane into a set of parallel lines in the output plane. A lens can then separate the resulting transverse momentum states into specified lateral positions, allowing for the efficient measurement of multiple OAM states simultaneously. Separating OAM states in this way presents an opportunity for this larger alphabet to improve the data capacity of a free space link and has potential application in both the classical and quantum regimes. We will present our latest design, increasing the bandwidth of measurable states to over 50 OAM modes. In such a system we study the crosstalk introduced by a thin phase turbulence, showing that turbulence similarly degrades the purity of all the modes within this range.
Orbital angular momentum (OAM) of photons provides a promising approach to enhance the capacity, robustness, and functionality of quantum communication systems in optical fibers. With many twist states available, OAM enables high-dimensional encoding, significantly increasing data rates and noise tolerance. This review explores sources, channels, and system architectures for OAM-based quantum communication in fibers. It compares free-space and integrated emitters, discussing in-fiber pair generation and mode conversion pathways that produce fiber-ready single photons and entangled states. For the channels, it details design principles and trade-offs for step-index and ring-core fibers that minimize intermodal coupling and reviews milestones in kilometer-scale single-photon transmission and high-dimensional entanglement transport. On the system side, the review examines coupling, multiplexing, and detection techniques—including mode (de)multiplexers, lanterns, and programmable sorters—and discusses transmission-matrix-based control methods to mitigate dispersion and bending effects. The review concludes with practical guidance and open challenges, such as improving mode selectivity and stability under real-world conditions; developing compact, efficient detectors for many modes; and integrating co-designed error correction schemes. These directions aim to bridge laboratory demonstrations with the deployment of scalable, high-dimensional fiber networks that harness OAM to significantly boost capacity, resilience, and functionality.
We present a novel method for efficient sorting of photons prepared in states of orbital angular momentum (OAM) and angular position (ANG). A log-polar optical transform is used in combination with a holographic beam-splitting method to achieve better mode discrimination and reduced cross-talk than reported previously. Simulating this method for 7 modes, we have calculated an improved mutual information of 2.43 bits/photon and 2.29 bits/photon for OAM and ANG modes respectively. In addition, we present preliminary results from an experimental implementation of this technique. This method is expected to have important applications for high-dimensional quantum key distribution systems.