Perfect optical vortex array with controllable diffraction order and topological charge

We have demonstrated a holographic grating, the far-field diffraction pattern of which is a perfect optical vortex (POV) array. The diffraction order, as well as the topological charge of each spot in the array, is controllable. By setting different parameters when designing the hologram, the spot in different diffraction orders will be changed, resulting in the variance of the POV array. During the experiment, we uploaded holograms of different design on a phase-only spatial light modulator. We then observed POV arrays with different dimensions and topological charges using a CCD camera, which fit well with the simulation. This technique provides the possibility to generate multiple POVs simultaneously, and can be used in domains where multiple POVs are of high interest such as orbital angular momentum multiplexed fiber data transmission systems. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America