Method for Probing the Orbital Angular Momentum of Optical Vortices in Electromagnetic Waves from Astronomical Objects

2008266 citationsJournal Articlegreen Open Access

Authors

Gregorius C. G. Berkhout · Huygens Institute for History and Culture of the Netherlands

Marco W. Beijersbergen · Leiden University

Abstract

We present an efficient method for probing the orbital angular momentum of optical vortices of arbitrary sizes. This method, based on a multipoint interferometer, has its most important application in measuring the orbital angular momentum of light from astronomical sources, opening the way to interesting new astrophysics. We demonstrate its viability by measuring the orbital angular momentum of Laguerre-Gaussian laser beams.

Topics & Keywords

Orbital Angular Momentum in Optics Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies Optical Polarization and Ellipsometry

Publication Details

Published in: Physical Review Letters

Volume 101, Issue 10, pp. 100801-100801

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.101.100801

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 8.44

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Method for Probing the Orbital Angular Momentum of Optical Vortices in Electromagnetic Waves from Astronomical Objects

Authors

Abstract

Topics & Keywords

Publication Details