OAM beam generation in space and its applications: A review. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lian, Yudong; Qi, Xuan; Wang, Yuhe; Bai, Zhenxu; Wang, Yulei; Lu, Zhiwei
• Is Part Of: Optics and lasers in engineering. Volume 151(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: OAM beams -- Intracavity generation -- Extracavity conversion -- OAM beams application; Lasers in engineering -- Periodicals; Optical measurements -- Periodicals; Optics -- Periodicals; Lasers en ingénierie -- Périodiques; Mesures optiques -- Périodiques; Optique -- Périodiques; 621.36605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optlaseng.2021.106923
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-8166

Abstract

Highlights: The categories of OAM beams are summarized, including common OAM beams and novel OAM beams. For intracavity generation method and extracavity conversion method, techniques for generating OAM beams in space are systematically reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of each OAM beam generation technology are summarized. And the parameter performance comparison of each OAM generation technology is shown in the form of a table. The application fields of OAM beams are summarized, and the development trend and potential of their applications are pointed out. This article will be helpful to provide reference and guidance for related experiments of OAM beams in the future. Abstract: In recent years, vortex beams with orbital angular momentum (OAM) have attracted more and more attention. The wavefront of the OAM beams is helical, the intensity at the center of the beam is zero, and there is a phase singularity. Because of the novel phase characteristics of OAM beams, they have a wide application prospect in the fields of optical communication, rotating body detection and particle manipulation. Therefore, the research on the generation technology of OAM beams and their application range are of instructive significance to the future experiments. In this paper, the common beams carrying OAM are introduced, and the techniques of generating OAM beams in free space are summarized, including intracavity conversion method and extracavity conversion method. The application range of OAM beams studied at present is discussed, and the development trend of OAM beams is prospected. The purpose of this paper is to provide reference and guidance for related experiments of OAM beams in the future.