Phase memory of optical vortex beams

Optical vortex beams are under considerable scrutiny due to their demonstrated potential for applications ranging from quantum optics to optical communications and from material processing to particle trapping. However, upon interaction with inhomogeneous material systems, their deterministic properties are altered. The way these structured beams are affected by different levels of disturbances is critical for their uses. Here, for the first time, we quantify the degradation of perfect optical vortex beams after their interaction with localized random media. We developed an analytical model that (1) describes how the spatial correlation and the phase variance of disturbance affect the phase distribution across the vortex beams and (2) establishes the regimes of randomness for which the beams maintain the memory of their initial vorticity. Systematic numerical simulations and controlled experiments demonstrate the extent of this memory effect for beams with different vorticity indices.

Automated summary

This paper quantifies the degradation of perfect optical vortex beams after interacting with localized random media for the first time. An analytical model is developed to describe the phase distribution of the vortex beams affected by the spatial correlation and phase variance of disturbance. Systematic numerical simulations and controlled experiments demonstrate the memory effect of the beams, which is dependent on their vorticity indices.