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Spin-orbit Rabi oscillations in optically synthesized magnetic fields
Guohua Liu1,2, Xiliang Zhang1,2, Xin Zhang1,2
1Department of Optoelectronic Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
Light, Science & Applications
|August 28, 2023
Summary
Researchers achieved simultaneous spin-orbit-coupled Rabi oscillations, merging spin and orbital angular momentum in light. This breakthrough offers new ways to control light
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Condensed matter physics
- Photonics
Background:
- Rabi oscillations are fundamental in quantum mechanics, with applications in classical and quantum regimes.
- Existing research identified spin waves and orbital waves, but a state merging both spin and orbital angular momentum remained elusive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally and theoretically observe and control spin-orbit-coupled Rabi oscillations in higher-order light.
- To introduce a tunable platform for manipulating spin-orbit interactions and light properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a pseudo spin-1/2 formalism to optically synthesize a magnetization vector via light-crystal interaction.
- Employing a beam-dependent synthetic magnetic field for controlling oscillations.
- Developing an electrically tunable platform for precise control over oscillatory modes.
Main Results:
- Observed simultaneous oscillations of spin and orbital angular momentum in weak and strong coupling regimes.
- Demonstrated control over these oscillations using a synthetic magnetic field.
- Achieved emission of orbital-angular-momentum beams with tunable topological structures.
Conclusions:
- Established a general framework for exploring spin-orbit couplings in higher-order light.
- Provided novel routes for manipulating spin and orbital angular momentum in 3D and 4D.
- Highlighted the broad applicability of the demonstrated concept across disciplines like quantum mechanics and nonlinear optics.
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