Linear up-conversion of orbital angular momentum

We experimentally demonstrated that infrared light imprinted with orbital angular momentum (OAM) was linearly converted into visible light using four-wave mixing (FWM) via a ladder-type configuration in Rb-85 atoms. Simultaneously, we theoretically simulated this linear conversion process, and the theoretical analysis was in reasonable agreement with the experimental results. A large single-photon detuning process was used to reduce the absorption of the atoms to the up-converted light and to avoid pattern formation in the FWM process. The multi-mode image linear conversion process is important for applications including image communications, astrophysics, and quantum information. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America