Toninelli, E., Aspden, R. S., Phillips, D., Gibson, G. M. and Padgett, M. J. (2016) The transition from a coherent optical vortex to a Rankine vortex: beam contrast dependence on topological charge. Journal of Modern Optics, 63(Supl 3), S52-S56. (doi: 10.1080/09500340.2016.1234651)
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Abstract
Spatially coherent helically phased light beams carry orbital angular momentum (OAM) and contain phase singularities at their centre. Destructive interference at the position of the phase singularity means the intensity at this point is necessarily zero, which results in a high contrast between the centre and the surrounding annular intensity distribution. Beams of reduced spatial coherence yet still carrying OAM have previously been referred to as Rankine vortices. Such beams no longer possess zero intensity at their centre, exhibiting a contrast that decreases as their spatial coherence is reduced. In this work, we study the contrast of a vortex beam as a function of its spatial coherence and topological charge. We show that beams carrying higher values of topological charge display a radial intensity contrast that is more resilient to a reduction in spatial coherence of the source.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Gibson, Dr Graham and Padgett, Professor Miles and Aspden, Mr Reuben and Phillips, Dr David and Toninelli, Mr Ermes |
| Authors: | Toninelli, E., Aspden, R. S., Phillips, D., Gibson, G. M., and Padgett, M. J. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy |
| Journal Name: | Journal of Modern Optics |
| Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
| ISSN: | 0950-0340 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1362-3044 |
| Published Online: | 21 September 2016 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2016 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Journal of Modern Optics 63(Supl. 3):S51-S56 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
| Related URLs: |
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