Generation and detection of optical vortices using all fiber-optic system

We demonstrate simultaneous generation, propagation and detection of optical vortices using all fiber-optic system. A fiber-optic Y-coupler was used for generating spherical and doughnut beams, simultaneously. Gaussian (TEM00) beam emitted from CW red He-Ne laser is coupled into the fiber coupler and is converted into vortex beam via second arm of fiber which propagates with azimuthal phase dependence having well defined orbital angular momentum. The phase structure of vortex beam was detected by interfering both the beams using simple fiber-optic interferometer. The present all fiber-optic system might find application for detecting, sensing physical parameters and is simple and cost effective for generating and detecting optical vortices. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.