3D Orbital Angular Momentum Nonlinear Holography

Abstract

Orbital angular momentum (OAM), due to its theoretically orthogonal and unbounded helical phase index, is utilized as an independent physical degree of freedom for ultrahigh-capacity information encryption. However, the imaging distance of an OAM hologram is typically inflexible and determined by the focal length of the Fourier transform lens placed behind the hologram. Here, 3D orbital angular momentum holography is proposed and implemented. The Fourier transform between the holographic plane and imaging plane is performed by superimposing Fresnel zone plates (FZP) onto the computer-generated holograms (CGH). The CGH is binarized and fabricated on the lithium niobate crystal by femtosecond laser micromachining. Experimental verification demonstrates the feasibility of the encoding method. Moreover, by superimposing FZPs with different focal lengths into various OAM channels, OAM-multiplexing holograms are constructed. Target images are separately projected to different planes, thereby enabling 3D multi-plane holographic imaging with low crosstalk. The interval between adjacent imaging planes can be uniform and minimal, free from depth of field (DoF) constraints, thus achieving high longitudinal resolution. This work achieves OAM holography in a more compact manner and further expands its applicability.