Generation of optical vortex beams by nonlinear wave mixing

It is shown that optical vortex beams can be generated from a non-vortex fundamental beam by an optical frequency conversion process taking place within a twisted nonlinear photonic crystal. This is done without any first-order (linear) refractive optics. Through such a proposed structure, all-optical switching of vortices with different helicities is made possible, as well as the simultaneous application of counter-rotating vortex beams of different frequencies. (C) 2007 Optical Society of America.