Structured beams

In the ever-expanding universe of optical research, the creation and manipulation of structured light beams have catalyzed a multitude of scientific and technological advancements. These beams, characterized by their unique spatial configurations, are key to innovations in fields such as imaging, communication, and quantum computation. One promising avenue for generating these structured beams is through the design of novel optical cavities. Moreover, harnessing the potential of nonlinear optics introduces an additional layer of versatility, enabling the utilization of these light sources across a broad spectral range from ultraviolet to infrared. The ensuing work concentrates on exploring these innovative methods, aiming to broaden our understanding and control of structured light for future applications. 

  1. Orbital angular momentum exchange in a picosecond optical parametric oscillator, Opt. Lett. 43, 3606-3609 (2018).
  2. Multi-structured-beam optical parametric oscillator,Opt. Express 28, 21650-21658 (2020).
  3. Tunable vector-vortex beam optical parametric oscillator, Sci Rep 9, 9578 (2019).

Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits

While the generation and application of structured light have seen considerable advancements, the precise measurement and decomposition of these complex spatial modes remain a formidable challenge. Traditional methods relying on bulky setups and a series of spatial light modulators or interferometers provide limited solutions, often unable to distinguish the relative phase among the modes. In this context, the emergence of programmable photonic integrated circuits (PPICs) marks a revolutionary transition. Offering miniaturization, enhanced performance, and dynamic reconfigurability, PPICs stand as a testament to the potential of integrated photonics to radically transform the landscape of optical technologies.

The capabilities of a novel programmable photonic processor that epitomizes the pinnacle of this technological evolution. By intricately controlling the flow of light through an array of reconfigurable Mach-Zehnder interferometers, this processor not only achieves high-quality spatial mode generation but also enables real-time reconfiguration and analysis of structured light. The potential of this technology to generate and control higher-order free-space structured light beams at the click of a button paves the way for compact, efficient, and versatile optical systems.

  1. Photonic integrated processor for structured light detection and distinction, Commun Phys 6, 369 (2023).
  2. [PDF] from arxiv.orgGenerating free-space structured light with programmable integrated photonics, arXiv:2304.08963

Quantum Optics

Quantum sensing and metrology have emerged as pivotal fields in the advancement of precision measurement technologies, leveraging the nuanced properties of quantum systems to surpass the limitations of classical physics. Central to this progress is the exploitation of single-photon sources and their spatial modes, which are instrumental in a wide range of applications from quantum computing to high-resolution imaging. Two-photon interference, often referred to as Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) interference, offers a method for real-time sensing capable of detecting variations as minute as tens of nanometers.

  1. Real-time sensing of static displacement and vibrations using HOM interference based quantum sensor, arXiv:2304.13300
  2. Imaging inspired characterization of single photons carrying orbital angular momentum, AVS Quantum Sci. 4, 015001 (2022)