Topologically multiplexed optical data communication
AssigneeNew York University
InventorDavid G. Grier
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Abstract
Systems and methods for encoding information in the topology of superpositions of helical modes of light, and retrieving information from each of the superposed modes individually or in parallel. These methods can be applied to beams of light that already carry information through other channels, such as amplitude modulation or wavelength dispersive multiplexing, enabling such beams to be multiplexed and subsequently demultiplexed. The systems and methods of the present invention increase the number of data channels carried by a factor of the number of superposed helical modes.
Claims12
A method of creating a topologically multiplexed light beam for use in optical data communications, comprising the steps of:
- providing at least one information-carrying light beam, each illuminating a first optical element;
- using the first optical element to deflect the at least one information-carrying light beam into at least one selected direction;
- providing the at least one information-carrying light beam with a plurality of specific topological charges, resulting in the at least one resultant light beam carrying a superposition of different helical modes suitable for use in optical data communications;
- and
- using a second optical element to dissect the at least one resultant beam into a plurality of constituent beams, and wherein the first and second optical elements comprise at least two optical elements, with the second optical element being oriented backwards relative to the first optical element on an optical axis.
A method of providing topological data communication, comprising the steps of:
- providing a beam of light carrying information;
- modulating a plurality of topological charges of the beam of light with an optical element to provide a resultant data beam, wherein the optical element introduces a superposition of the plurality of topological charges, and wherein data is encoded in the sequence of topological charges, creating a plurality of topological data channels;
- and
- reading out the resultant beam using a detector.
A method for transforming a beam of light into a superposition of helical modes of light for use in optical data communications, comprising the steps of:
- providing a conventional beam of light;
- introducing a plurality of defects into the conventional beam of light, the defects creating a helical beam of light coaxial with the conventional beam of light, the conventional beam of light including an undiffracted portion;
- and
- deflecting the helical beam of light away from the undiffracted portion of the conventional beam of light, thereby enabling use of the deflected helical beams for the optical data communications.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.