Gouy phase-matched angular and radial mode conversion in four-wave mixing

Offer, R. F., Daffurn, A., Riis, E., Griffin, P. F., Arnold, A. S. and Franke-Arnold, S. (2021) Gouy phase-matched angular and radial mode conversion in four-wave mixing. Physical Review A: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, 103(2), L021502. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevA.103.L021502)

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Abstract

Studying the conversion between transverse light modes via four-wave mixing in a heated rubidium vapour, we demonstrate and explain a transfer between azimuthal and radial mode numbers. These relate to orthogonal modal dimensions, which one would not normally expect to interact. While angular momentum conservation in this nonlinear process dictates the selection rules for the angular mode number, the role of the radial mode number is more esoteric. We demonstrate systematically that the Gouy phase is the key to understanding this conversion, leading to strikingly different conversion behaviour in the thick and thin medium regime. Our experimental investigation of the transition between these regimes bridges the gap between previous experiments in atomic thick media and work in nonlinear crystals. Our work sets a clear starting point to explore new territory in the thick medium regime, allowing efficient radial-to-azimuthal and radial-to-radial mode conversion.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Funding via the Leverhulme Trust (Grant No.RPG-2013-386) and EPSRC (Grant No. EP/M506643/1).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Franke-Arnold, Professor Sonja
Authors: Offer, R. F., Daffurn, A., Riis, E., Griffin, P. F., Arnold, A. S., and Franke-Arnold, S.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Research Group:Optics
Journal Name:Physical Review A: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Publisher:American Physical Society
ISSN:2469-9926
ISSN (Online):2469-9934
Published Online:25 February 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 American Physical Society
First Published:First published in Physical Review A 103(2):L021502
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
190738Quantum memory and processing of orbital angular momentum information in atomic gassesSonja Franke-ArnoldLeverhulme Trust (LEVERHUL)RPG-2013-386P&S - Physics & Astronomy