Jiasheng Ye

Generation and evolution of the terahertz vortex beam

Based on the complementary V-shaped antenna structure, ultrathin vortex phase plates are designed to achieve the terahertz (THz) optical vortices with different topological charges. Utilizing a THz holographic imaging system, the two dimensional complex field information of the generated THz vortex beam with the topological number l=1 is directly obtained. Its far field propagation properties are analyzed in detail, including the rotation, the twist direction, and the Gouy phase shift of the vortex phase. An analytic Laguerre-Gaussian mode is used to simulate and explain the measured phenomena. The experimental and simulation results overlap each other very well.

Terahertz polarization real-time imaging based on balanced electro-optic detection

A terahertz (THz) polarization real-time imaging system that can effectively reduce experimental time consumption for acquiring a samples polarization information is achieved. An alternative THz polarization measurement method is proposed. In this method, a <110> zinc-blende crystal is used as the sensor, and the probe polarization is adjusted to detect THz electric fields on the two orthogonal polarization components. The relative sensitivity of the imaging system to the THz polarization angle is estimated to be less than 0.5°. To illustrate the ability of the system, two samples are designed and measured by using the system. From their THz polarization real-time images, each region of these samples can be precisely presented. Experimental results clearly show the special influences of different materials on the THz polarization. This work effectively extends the information content obtained by THz real-time imaging and improves the feasibility of the imaging technique.

An ultrathin terahertz lens with axial long focal depth based on metasurfaces

The plasmonic resonance effect on metasurfaces generates an abrupt phase change. We employ this phase modulation mechanism to design the longitudinal field distribution of an ultrathin terahertz (THz) lens for achieving the axial long-focal-depth (LFD) property. Phase distributions of the designed lens are obtained by the Yang-Gu iterative amplitude-phase retrieval algorithm. By depositing a 100 nm gold film on a 500 μm silicon substrate and etching arrayed V-shaped air holes through the gold film, the designed ultrathin THz lens is fabricated by the micro photolithography technology. Experimental measurements have demonstrated its LFD property, which basically agree with the theoretical simulations. In addition, the designed THz lens possesses a good LFD property with a bandwidth of 200 GHz. It is expected that the designed ultrathin LFD THz lens should have wide potential applications in broadband THz imaging and THz communication systems.

Spin-selected focusing and imaging based on metasurface lens.

Spin of light provides a route to control photons. Spin-based optical devices which can manipulate photons with different spin states are imperative. Here we experimentally demonstrated a spin-selected metasurface lens based on the spin-orbit interaction originated from the Pancharatnam-Berry (PB) phase. The optimized PB phase enables the light with different spin states to be focused on two separated points in the preset plane. Furthermore, the metasurface lens can perform the spin-selected imaging according to the polarization of the illuminating light. Such a spin-based device capacitates a lot of advanced applications for spin-controlled photonics in quantum information processing and communication based on the spin and orbit angular momentum.

Optimal design of SPP-based metallic nanoaperture optical elements by using Yang-Gu algorithm.

An optimization method for design of SPP-based metallic nanoaperture optical elements is presented. The design process is separated into two steps: Firstly, derive the amplitude and phase modulation of isolating single slit with different width; Secondly, realize the optimal design of element by using an iteration procedure. The Yang-Gu algorithm is expanded to perform this design. Three kinds of lenses which can achieve various functions have been designed by using this method. The rigorous electromagnetical theory is employed to justify and appraise the performances of the designed elements. It has been found that the designed elements can achieve the preset functions well. This method may provide a convenient avenue to optimally design metallic diffractive optical elements with subwavelength scale.

A broadband terahertz ultrathin multi-focus lens.

Ultrathin transmission metasurface devices are designed on the basis of the Yang-Gu amplitude-phase retrieval algorithm for focusing the terahertz (THz) radiation into four or nine spots with focal spacing of 2 or 3 mm at a frequency of 0.8 THz. The focal properties are experimentally investigated in detail, and the results agree well with the theoretical expectations. The designed THz multi-focus lens (TMFL) demonstrates a good focusing function over a broad frequency range from 0.3 to 1.1 THz. As a transmission-type device based on metasurface, the diffraction efficiency of the TMFL can be as high as 33.92% at the designed frequency. The imaging function of the TMFL is also demonstrated experimentally and clear images are obtained. The proposed method produces an ultrathin, low-cost, and broadband multi-focus lens for THz-band application

Focusing and imaging of a virtual all-optical tunable terahertz Fresnel zone plate

A virtual all-optical tunable terahertz Fresnel zone plate is achieved utilizing the localized distribution of the transient electron plasma on a silicon wafer. Its focusing and imaging performance are experimentally demonstrated. Experimental results show that the effect of the virtual zone plate is the same as an actual one. Adjusting the spatial pattern of the electron plasma, the central wavelength and the focal length of the virtual zone plate can be all-optically dynamically steered. The research is a significant step to the development of tunable optical imaging elements.

Complete presentation of the Gouy phase shift with the THz digital holography

Three dimensional information of the Gouy phase shift in a converging spherical terahertz (THz) beam is directly observed by using a THz balanced electro-optic holographic imaging system. The major properties of the Gouy phase shift are presented, including the longitudinal and transverse distributions, relationships with the frequency and the f-number, influence on the THz polarization. The imaging technique supplies an accurate and comprehensive measurement method for observing and understanding the Gouy phase shift.

Full vector measurements of converging terahertz beams with linear, circular, and cylindrical vortex polarization.

The complete vector information of converging terahertz (THz) beams with linear, circular, and cylindrical vortex polarization are precisely measured by using a THz digital holographic imaging system. The transverse (Ex, Ey) and longitudinal (Ez) polarization components of the THz fields around the focal point are separately obtained utilizing the detection crystals with different crystalline orientations. The measured results are in good agreement with the theoretical expectations. This imaging technique provides an effective way for revealing the vector diffraction properties of the THz electro-magnetic waves.

A single diffractive optical element implementing spectrum-splitting and beam-concentration functions simultaneously with high diffraction efficiency

In this paper,a novel method is proposed and employed to design a single diffractive optical element(DOE) for implementing spectrum-splitting and beam-concentration(SSBC) functions simultaneously.We develop an optimization algorithm,through which the SSBC DOE can be optimized within an arbitrary thickness range according to the limitations of modern photolithography technology.Theoretical simulation results reveal that the designed SSBC DOE has a high optical focusing efficiency.It is expected that the designed SSBC DOE should have practical applications in high-efficiency solar cell systems.In this paper, a novel method is proposed and employed to design a single diffractive optical element (DOE) for implementing spectrum-splitting and beam-concentration (SSBC) functions simultaneously. We develop an optimization algorithm, through which the SSBC DOE can be optimized within an arbitrary thickness range according to the limitations of modern photolithography technology. Theoretical simulation results reveal that the designed SSBC DOE has a high optical focusing efficiency. It is expected that the designed SSBC DOE should have practical applications in high-efficiency solar cell systems.