Creating well-defined orbital angular momentum states with a random turbulent medium.
Previous work by Allen, demonstrated that optical beams possess orbital angular momentum. Other work has shown that a random, phase-only disturbance can impart ± 1 orbital angular momentum states to propagating waves. However, the field preceding the formation of these ± 1 states was unknown. In this paper, we identify the unique field that leads to the formation of a pair of branch points, indicators of orbital angular momentum. This field is then verified in a bench-top optical experiment.
Science Applications International Corporation, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. denis.w.oesch@saic.com
Denis W
DW
Oesch
Darryl J
DJ
Sanchez
D003198:Computer Simulation; D008027:Light; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry / Q000379:methods*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation