Spiral-Phase-Defect Resonator and Its Application in Vortex Laser of Controllable Topological Charges

Abstract

An optical resonator with a spiral-phase defect is proposed for vortex laser generation. Theoretical models and calculations were conducted to predict the topological charge distribution of the emitted vortex laser. Utilizing a reflective spatial light modulator that creates a spiral-phase defect of variable radius and azimuthal phase modulation, vortex beams with controllable topological charges and intensity distributions were demonstrated experimentally.

Keywords

• Optical vortex
• digital lasers
• spiral-phase-defect resonator