Optical Encryption in the Photonic Orbital Angular Momentum Dimension via Direct-Laser-Writing 3D Chiral Metahelices

Vortex beams, which intrinsically possess optical orbital angular momentum (OAM), are considered as one of the promising chiral light waves for classical optical communications and quantum information processing. For a long time, it has been an expectation to utilize artificial three-dimensional (3D) chiral metamaterials to manipulate the transmission of vortex beams for practical optical display applications. Here, we demonstrate the concept of selective transmission management of vortex beams with opposite OAM modes assisted by the designed 3D chiral metahelices. Utilizing the integrated array of the metahelices, a series of optical operations, including display, hiding, and even encryption, can be realized by the parallel processing of multiple vortex beams. The results open up an intriguing route for metamaterial-dominated optical OAM processing, which fosters the development of photonic angular momentum engineering and high-security optical encryption.

Automated summary

By using designed 3D chiral metahelices, selective transmission management of vortex beams with opposite OAM modes has been demonstrated. This allows for optical operations such as display, hiding, and encryption through parallel processing of multiple vortex beams. The results provide a new approach for the development of photonic angular momentum engineering and high-security optical encryption.