Reconfigurable spatial-mode generation and multiplexing on a scalable photonic chip

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Integrated Optics
• Quantum Information Science

Background:

• Spatial modes are crucial for optical networks, including spatial division multiplexing (SDM), sensing, and quantum information processing.
• Current methods for spatial mode manipulation lack versatility and adaptability to different mode types.
• Programmable photonic integrated circuits offer a promising platform for flexible and compact control over spatial modes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and demonstrate a reconfigurable spatial mode generator using a programmable silicon photonic chip.
• To leverage orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes for generating other spatial modes like linear polarized (LP) and cylindrical vector (CV) modes.
• To provide a scalable solution for manipulating spatial modes across amplitude, phase, and polarization.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of a reconfigurable spatial mode generator on a silicon photonic chip.
• Utilizing orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes as a basis for generating other spatial modes.
• Experimental demonstration of mode generation and numerical analysis of performance.

Main Results:

• Successful generation of ten distinct orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes.
• Experimental generation of eight distinct linear polarized (LP) modes.
• Numerical analysis of experimental errors, with proposed methods to enhance modal purity and vector mode generation.

Conclusions:

• The developed programmable silicon photonic chip enables versatile and scalable generation of various spatial modes.
• The architecture offers a flexible approach to spatial mode manipulation, crucial for advancing SDM and other optical technologies.
• Further enhancements in modal purity and vector mode generation are achievable through proposed methods.