Robust interferometer for the routing of light beams carrying orbital angular momentum

Lavery, M. P.J., Dudley, A., Forbes, A., Courtial, J. and Padgett, M. J. (2011) Robust interferometer for the routing of light beams carrying orbital angular momentum. New Journal of Physics, 13(9), 093014. (doi: 10.1088/1367-2630/13/9/093014)

Abstract

We have developed an interferometer requiring only minimal angular alignment for the routing of beams carrying orbital angular momentum. The Mach–Zehnder interferometer contains a Dove prism in each arm where each has a mirror plane around which the transverse phase profile is inverted. One consequence of the inversions is that the interferometer needs no alignment. Instead the interferometer defines a unique axis about which the input beam must be coupled. Experimental results are presented for the fringe contrast, reaching a maximum value of 93±1%.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lavery, Professor Martin and Padgett, Professor Miles and Courtial, Dr Johannes
• Authors: Lavery, M. P.J., Dudley, A., Forbes, A., Courtial, J., and Padgett, M. J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: New Journal of Physics
• Journal Abbr.: New J. Phys.
• Publisher: Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd.
• ISSN: 1367-2630
• ISSN (Online): 1367-2630
• Published Online: 07 September 2011
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2011 Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd.
• First Published: First published in New Journal of Physics 13 (9): 093014
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
47427	1	Full-field quantum imaging	Miles Padgett	Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/G011656/1	Physics and Astronomy