Optical vortex detector as a basis for a data transfer system: Operational principle, model, and simulation of the influence of turbulence and noise

The principle of determining the topological charge of an optical vortex is suggested based on measuring the light field intensity and designing the corresponding detector. A mathematical model of the performance of the detector of topological vortex charge is presented. Results of numerical experiments imitating the vortex recognition in the presence of turbulence or (amplitude or phase) noise in registered radiation as well as of the displacement of the optical beam source and detector axes are presented. Principles are formulated of designing the position finder for an optical vortex (that is, the detector of vortex coordinates) that allows us to consider its realization in the form of mathematical and numerical model. Conditions of reliable operation of the vortex detector and singular optical communication line constructed on its basis are estimated. Dependencies of the probability of error in data transfer on the turbulence intensity, photodetector noise amplitude, and displacement of the optical axes are investigated for different coding algorithms (absolute and differential with fixed or adaptive threshold). The data of modeling confirm the results of analytical calculations. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.