Arbitrary spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion of light

Citation:

Devlin, R.C., Ambrosio, A., Rubin, N.A., Mueller, J.P.B. & Capasso, F. Arbitrary spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion of light. Science 358, 896-901 (2017).

Abstract:

Optical elements that convert the spin angular momentum (SAM) of light into vortex beams have found applications in classical and quantum optics. These elementsSAM-toorbital angular momentum (OAM) convertersare based on the geometric phase and only permit the conversion of left- and right-circular polarizations (spin states) into states with opposite OAM. We present a method for converting arbitrary SAM states into total angular momentum states characterized by a superposition of independent OAM. We designed a metasurface that converts left- and right-circular polarizations into states with independent values of OAM and designed another device that performs this operation
for elliptically polarized states. These results illustrate a general material-mediated connection between SAM and OAM of light and may find applications in producing complex structured light and in optical communication.

Publisher's Version

Last updated on 11/16/2017