High-efficiency integer multiplier for the orbital angular momentum of light

The spiral transformation has attracted an increasing interest in switching orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes. However, the efficiency is deteriorated by the inevitable gap between the turns of the spiral strips. In order to overcome the problem, a multiple-ring conformal mapping scheme is proposed for efficient multiplication of the OAM of light. The OAM mode at the input plane is divided into concentric rings, which are mapped to multiple sectors and connected into a ring at the output plane. This point-to-point mapping mechanism can avoid the generation of high-order diffraction, leading to high conversion efficiency. The scheme may underpin the development of optical communication and quantum key distribution in OAM-based systems. (c) 2023 Optica Publishing Group