Optical Orbital Angular Momentum Processors with Electrically Tailored Working Bands

Novel options for multiplexing, such as orbital angular momentum (OAM), are sought to satisfy the explosive growth of information capacity. Consequently, spatial phase modulation with on-demand tailoring of working bands is increasingly investigated. In this study, a polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal is used to address this requirement. A varying DC voltage is applied, and the working band is increased over eightfold owing to the electric-induced gradient pitch of the polymer network. Thus, the working band of an OAM processor is reversibly switched between narrowband and broadband states. An OAM-multiplexing hologram is designed for parallel OAM encoding and decoding, enabling a wavelength-division-multiplexing compatible approach for in situ and non-destructive OAM processing. The proposed design offers a promising solution for the on-demand tailoring of working bands in liquid crystal planar optics and can promote advancements in massive information transmission and large-capacity data processing.

Automated summary

This study explores a novel option for multiplexing called orbital angular momentum (OAM) to meet the increasing demand for information capacity. A polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal is used to achieve spatial phase modulation and on-demand tailoring of working bands. By varying the DC voltage, the working band of an OAM processor can be switched between narrowband and broadband states, enabling a wavelength-division-multiplexing compatible approach for OAM processing. This design offers a promising solution for liquid crystal planar optics and can advance massive information transmission and large-capacity data processing.