Leach, J., Yao, E. and Padgett, M. (2004) Observation of the vortex structure of a non-integer vortex beam. New Journal of Physics, 6, art 71. (doi: 10.1088/1367-2630/6/1/071)
Full text not currently available from Enlighten.
Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/6/1/071
Abstract
An optical beam with an e(i/phi) phase structure carries an orbital angular momentum of lh per photon. For integer l values, the phase fronts of such beams form perfect helices with a single screw-phase dislocation, or vortex, on the beam axis. For non-integer l values, Berry ( 2004 J. Opt. A: Pure Appl. Opt. 6 259) predicts a complex-phase structure comprising many vortices at differing positions within the beam cross- section. Using a spatial light modulator we produce e(i/phi) beams with varying l. We examine the phase structure of such beams after propagation through an interference-based phase- measurement technique. As predicted, we observe that for half- integer l values, a line of alternating charge vortices is formed near the radial dislocation.
Item Type: | Articles |
---|---|
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Padgett, Professor Miles |
Authors: | Leach, J., Yao, E., and Padgett, M. |
Subjects: | Q Science > QC Physics |
College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy |
Journal Name: | New Journal of Physics |
Publisher: | Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd. |
ISSN: | 1367-2630 |
ISSN (Online): | 1367-2630 |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record