Direct generation of vortex laser beams and their non-linear wavelength conversion

Andrew James Lee*, Takashige Omatsu

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

253 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Vortex laser beams are a technology that has revolutionised applications in micro-and nano-manipulation, micro-fabrication and super-resolution microscopy, and is now heralding advances in quantum communication. In order to service these, and emergent applications, the ability to generate powerful vortex laser beams with user-controlled spatial and wavefront properties, and importantly wavelength, is required. In this chapter, we discuss methods of generating vortex laser beams using both external beam conversion methods, and directly from a laser resonator. We then examine the wavelength conversion of vortex laser beams through non-linear processes of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), sum-frequency generation (SFG), second harmonic generation (SHG) and optical parametric oscillation. We reveal that under different types of non-linear wavelength conversion, the spatial and wavefront properties of the vortex modes change, and in some cases, the spatial profile also evolve under propagation. We present a theoretical model which explains these dynamics, through decomposition of the vortex mode into constituent Hermite-Gaussian modes of the laser resonator.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationVortex dynamics and optical vortices
EditorsHector Perez-De-Tejada
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherInTechOpen
Chapter2
Pages57-82
Number of pages26
ISBN (Electronic)9789535129301
ISBN (Print)9789535129295
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2017

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2017. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

  • vortex laser
  • Lagurre-Gaussian modes
  • optical non-linear conversion
  • stimulated Raman scattering
  • sum-frequency generation
  • second harmonic generation
  • optical parametric oscillation
  • topological charge

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Direct generation of vortex laser beams and their non-linear wavelength conversion'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this