The key role of off-axis singularities in free-space vortex transmutation

We experimentally demonstrate the generation of off-axis phase singularities in a vortex transmutation process induced by the breaking of rotational symmetry. The process takes place in free space by launching a highly charged vortex, owning full rotational symmetry, into a linear thin diffractive e...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Novoa, David, Sola Larrañaga, Iñigo Juan, García-March, Miguel Angel, Ferrando, Albert
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2014
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Salamanca (USAL)
Repositorio:GREDOS. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Salamanca
OAI Identifier:oai:gredos.usal.es:10366/146816
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10366/146816
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Vortex
Orbital Angular Momentum
Astigmatism
Topological Charge
Optical Vortex
Descripción
Sumario:We experimentally demonstrate the generation of off-axis phase singularities in a vortex transmutation process induced by the breaking of rotational symmetry. The process takes place in free space by launching a highly charged vortex, owning full rotational symmetry, into a linear thin diffractive element presenting discrete rotational symmetry. It is shown that off-axis phase singularities follow straight dark rays bifurcating from the symmetry axis. This phenomenon may provide new routes toward the spatial control of multiple phase singularities for applications in atom trapping and particle manipulation.