R.E. Burge

Sequence of focused optical vortices generated by a spiral fractal zone plate

We propose a method for producing a sequence of focused optical vortices along the propagation direction by using a spiral fractal zone plate. The generated beam possesses the optical vortices embedded at subsidiary foci as well as the major ones of the fractal zone plate. The experimental results are obtained in good agreement with the simulations.

Extending the detection range of optical vortices by Dammann vortex gratings

We report a 2D static binary phase Dammann vortex grating that combines the features of a conventional vortex grating and a Dammann grating. This grating uniformly distributes energies among the diffraction orders, so the low-efficiency problem at higher diffraction orders of conventional vortex gratings is resolved and the detection range of the optical vortices (OVs) is greatly increased. Experimental results of OV detection using a fabricated 5×5 Dammann vortex grating are given, and the topological charge detection range from -12 to +12 is achieved. The potential applications of such gratings include transmitting, receiving, and multiplexing OV beams in optical communication systems.

Variable-radius focused optical vortex with suppressed sidelobes

We propose a design for a phase mask for generating an optical vortex with suppressed sidelobes in the focal plane where the radius of the intensity ring is variable. A radial modulation added to conventional phase mask exp(iltheta) projects the light diffracted from different annular zones into a single intensity ring in the focal plane.

Collinear superposition of multiple helical beams generated by a single azimuthally modulated phase-only element.

We propose a highly efficient approach to generating multihelix beams that contain more than one helical mode, and the power distribution over helical modes is adjustable. A multihelix beam embedded with three collinear helical modes is demonstrated by use of a spatial light modulator.

Synthesis of multiple collinear helical modes generated by a phase-only element

Phase-only elements are generally more desirable than complex-amplitude-modulated elements not only because of the higher diffraction efficiency but the readier implementation and fabrication. A novel iterative algorithm is proposed for generating multiple helical modes by a single phase-only element. A superposition of four helical modes is demonstrated experimentally by using a spatial light modulator.

Residue orbital angular momentum in interferenced double vortex beams with unequal topological charges

When two vortex beams with unequal topological charges superpose coherently, orbital angular momentum (OAM) in the two beams would not be cancelled out completely in the interference. The residual OAMs contained by the superposed beam are located at different concentric rings and may have opposite orientations owing to the difference of the charges. The residual OAM can be confirmed by the rotation of microparticles when difference between the charges of two interfering beams is large.

Analysis of surface plasmon interference pattern formed by optical vortex beams

Following our recent experimental approach to excitation of surface plasmon polaritons induced by optical vortex beams [5], we report further analysis and verification of the surface plasmon interference pattern formed by locally excited standing surface plasmon polaritons in a metal/dielectric film. Our simulation model can be demonstrated by using angular spectrum representation. The generated standing interference pattern has potential as a resolution enhancement technique for sub-diffraction imaging.

Spatial coherence of x-ray laser emission from neonlike germanium after prepulse

The time-integrated spatial coherence of neonlike germanium x-ray laser radiation has been studied with a new dispersing coherence diagnostic. Angle-dependent spatial coherence data are recorded by sampling the diverging beam at each lasing wavelength in several directions simultaneously. Measurements of the spatial coherence, and hence effective source sizes, relevant to the output beams from double-slab targets for the J=2–1 spectral lines at wavelengths 28.6, 23.6, and 23.2 nm and for the J=0–1 line at 19.6 nm show differences, which indicate different conditions in the plasma volume amplifying these emissions. Targets are pumped by subnanosecond pulse drivers, with and without a prepulse, but 19.6 nm emission is detected only in the prepulsed case. The differences are discussed in terms of the time evolution of the spectral lines.

Achromatic design for the generation of optical vortices based on radial spiral phase plates

A multi-element design scheme is proposed to produce optical vortices of large spectrum width. The key component within the approach is a radially modulated spiral phase plate. Apart from a conventional spiral phase plate having an azimuthal phase function, the proposed element possesses an additional change of phase in the radial direction.

Suboptical x-ray imaging using the Vulcan x-ray laser

An imaging microscope, comprising a Schwarzchild condenser and a zone-plate optical arrangement, has been established on the Vulcan Nd:glass laser system at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Magnified images of simple test structures have been taken in x-ray transmission in a single subnanosecond laser shot by using doublet x-ray laser radiation at 23.2 and 23.6 nm from collisionally pumped Ne-like germanium. Image resolutions of ~0.15 μm have been measured. The results are a proof of principle and demonstrate that images of potentially suboptical resolution and of specimen regions that are destroyed on passage of the x-ray beam can be taken successfully using the Vulcan x-ray laser.