Phase-modulation based transmitarray convergence lens for vortex wave carrying orbital angular momentum

Vortex electromagnetic (EM) waves hold promise for their ability to significantly increase the transmission capacity of wireless communication systems via the torsion resistance defined by different topological charges associated with the orbital angular momentum (OAM). However, the application of vortex waves in remote distance transmission is limited by its characteristic of divergence. In this paper, a lens based on a phase-modulation metasurface (MS) is proposed that enables vortex EM waves to converge, thereby improving their propagation performance at microwave frequencies. A phase-shift distribution on the plane of the MS is obtained based on the concept of the optical converging axicon, which can convert a Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beam to a Bessel beam based on changing the propagation direction. Simulation results verify the ability of the MS lens to achieve OAM beam focusing, which is advantageous for enhancing the propagation directivity and increasing the gain in the main lobes of vortex waves. This is of particular importance in microwave wireless communication applications. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement