Observation of higher-order deterministic optical vortices from random vortex beams

Optical vortices in coherent beams have been identified as spiral phases with intensity nulls at singularities, while in random beams, they appear as coherence vortices in correlation functions, often not matching intensity nulls. Observing deterministic optical vortices in random beams is challengi...

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Main Authors: Yonglei Liu, Siyu Xu, Peipei Peng, Yongtao Zhang, Siting Dai, Yahong Chen, Yangjian Cai, Fei Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIP Publishing LLC 2025-04-01
Series:APL Photonics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0255517
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author Yonglei Liu
Siyu Xu
Peipei Peng
Yongtao Zhang
Siting Dai
Yahong Chen
Yangjian Cai
Fei Wang
author_facet Yonglei Liu
Siyu Xu
Peipei Peng
Yongtao Zhang
Siting Dai
Yahong Chen
Yangjian Cai
Fei Wang
author_sort Yonglei Liu
collection DOAJ
description Optical vortices in coherent beams have been identified as spiral phases with intensity nulls at singularities, while in random beams, they appear as coherence vortices in correlation functions, often not matching intensity nulls. Observing deterministic optical vortices in random beams is challenging due to their randomness. In this work, we propose a scheme relying on spatial coherence engineering and fractional Fourier transform to design a partially coherent light source capable of generating deterministic optical vortices at specific propagation distances in free space. At other propagation distances (including the source plane), the beam may exhibit coherence vortices characterized by spatially coupled two-point correlations, while deterministic vortices emerge only at designated distances. We show that both the topological charge and the axial position of the deterministic vortex are determined by the coherence parameters of the light source. Using a random-mode superposition approach, we experimentally synthesize such partially coherent light sources and characterize both coherence vortices and deterministic phase vortex through measurements of the four-dimensional correlation function at different propagation distances. In addition, we study the coherence phase orbital angular momentum (OAM) spectrum of the random beam both theoretically and experimentally. Our results reveal that the phase OAM spectrum is pure when the random beam carries a deterministic vortex, whereas for coherence vortices, the phase OAM spectrum is non-pure. This study provides a pathway for understanding and controlling the transition between deterministic phase vortices and coherence vortices, with potential applications in optical communication and metrology.
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-3d32effd98ec4804925e74b369dfd1ab2025-08-20T03:48:42ZengAIP Publishing LLCAPL Photonics2378-09672025-04-01104046118046118-1110.1063/5.0255517Observation of higher-order deterministic optical vortices from random vortex beamsYonglei Liu0Siyu Xu1Peipei Peng2Yongtao Zhang3Siting Dai4Yahong Chen5Yangjian Cai6Fei Wang7School of Physical Science and Technology & Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, ChinaSchool of Physical Science and Technology & Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, ChinaSchool of Intelligent Manufacturing and Smart Transportation, Suzhou City University, Suzhou 215104, ChinaKey Laboratory of Light Field Manipulation and System Integration Applications in Fujian Province, School of Physics and Information Engineering, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou 363000, ChinaSchool of Physical Science and Technology & Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, ChinaSchool of Physical Science and Technology & Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, ChinaShandong Provincial Engineering and Technical Center of Light Manipulation & Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optics and Photonic Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, ChinaSchool of Physical Science and Technology & Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, ChinaOptical vortices in coherent beams have been identified as spiral phases with intensity nulls at singularities, while in random beams, they appear as coherence vortices in correlation functions, often not matching intensity nulls. Observing deterministic optical vortices in random beams is challenging due to their randomness. In this work, we propose a scheme relying on spatial coherence engineering and fractional Fourier transform to design a partially coherent light source capable of generating deterministic optical vortices at specific propagation distances in free space. At other propagation distances (including the source plane), the beam may exhibit coherence vortices characterized by spatially coupled two-point correlations, while deterministic vortices emerge only at designated distances. We show that both the topological charge and the axial position of the deterministic vortex are determined by the coherence parameters of the light source. Using a random-mode superposition approach, we experimentally synthesize such partially coherent light sources and characterize both coherence vortices and deterministic phase vortex through measurements of the four-dimensional correlation function at different propagation distances. In addition, we study the coherence phase orbital angular momentum (OAM) spectrum of the random beam both theoretically and experimentally. Our results reveal that the phase OAM spectrum is pure when the random beam carries a deterministic vortex, whereas for coherence vortices, the phase OAM spectrum is non-pure. This study provides a pathway for understanding and controlling the transition between deterministic phase vortices and coherence vortices, with potential applications in optical communication and metrology.http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0255517
spellingShingle Yonglei Liu
Siyu Xu
Peipei Peng
Yongtao Zhang
Siting Dai
Yahong Chen
Yangjian Cai
Fei Wang
Observation of higher-order deterministic optical vortices from random vortex beams
APL Photonics
title Observation of higher-order deterministic optical vortices from random vortex beams
title_full Observation of higher-order deterministic optical vortices from random vortex beams
title_fullStr Observation of higher-order deterministic optical vortices from random vortex beams
title_full_unstemmed Observation of higher-order deterministic optical vortices from random vortex beams
title_short Observation of higher-order deterministic optical vortices from random vortex beams
title_sort observation of higher order deterministic optical vortices from random vortex beams
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0255517
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