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Related Experiment Video

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Spectral and Angle-Resolved Magneto-Optical Characterization of Photonic Nanostructures

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Published on: November 21, 2019

Orbital angular momentum in optical waves propagating through distributed turbulence.

Darryl J Sanchez¹, Denis W Oesch

¹Starfire Optical Range, AFRL/RDS, Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. AFRL/RDSWorkflowOrgMailbox@Kirtland.af.mil

|November 24, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Photons propagating through atmospheric turbulence can gain orbital angular momentum (OAM). Branch points in optical waves serve as indicators for the presence of photons with non-zero OAM, a common phenomenon.

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Area of Science:

Optics and Photonics
Quantum Optics
Atmospheric Physics

Background:

Previous research demonstrated that atmospheric turbulence can impart angular momentum to optical waves.
The nature of this induced angular momentum (e.g., orbital vs. spin) required further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate that the angular momentum created in optical waves by turbulence is, at least partially, orbital angular momentum (OAM).
To identify indicators for the presence of photons with non-zero OAM in turbulent environments.
To highlight the widespread conditions under which photons with non-zero OAM can be generated.

Main Methods:

Analysis of optical wave propagation through distributed turbulence.
Identification and interpretation of branch points in the optical wave field, a concept from adaptive optics.
Experimental or simulation-based verification of OAM presence.

Main Results:

Turbulence-induced angular momentum in optical waves is confirmed to be orbital angular momentum (OAM).
Branch points in the wave front are shown to be reliable indicators of non-zero OAM.
The conditions necessary for generating photons with non-zero OAM are ubiquitous in nature.

Conclusions:

The creation of photons with orbital angular momentum (OAM) through atmospheric turbulence is a significant finding.
Branch points serve as a practical diagnostic tool for detecting OAM in optical systems.
The ubiquitous nature of these conditions has broad implications for optical communications and sensing.