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Breakthrough in vortex laser technology
Researchers from the U.S have presented a micro laser system that is possible to dynamically tune to numerous distinct OAM modes. They confirm that the OAM modes of fiber lasers are measured by a chip-based detector. Therefore, two laser technologies have been combined in this research resulting in the first tunable, chip-based vortex fiber laser system.
Why vortex laser systems matter
These vortex laser systems are called so because of the way their light spirals around their axis of travel.
Previous limitations
Despite the laser technology is not new, it had some limits to transmitting a single, pre-set OAM mode resulting in inefficient in encoding more information.
Detector challenges
Additionally, current detectors use complex filtering methods applying bulky components that make them impossible from being integrated directly onto a chip, thus, they are considered to be incompatible with most practical optical communications approaches.
Advancements in fiber lasers and detectors
Since fiber lasers and detectors now become more accurate, they both allow consistently emitting and distinguishing between various amplitude levels leading to more data to be included in the same signal.
Additional laser beam qualities
It should be noted that more sophisticated laser systems and detectors enable changing other qualities of laser beam light, for instance, its wavelength that corresponds to a color, and its polarization, which is regarded as the orientation of the wave’s oscillations relative to its direction of travel.
Research from Pennsylvania
The research on a dynamically tunable fiber laser system based on this technique is presented by the researchers from Pennsylvania.
Microring laser system
According to the research, the first step was a work with a “microring” laser system that includes a ring of semiconductor, only a few microns wide, through which laser beam light circulate indefinitely as long as power is supplied.
Coupling SAM and OAM
Moreover, “asymmetry between the two control arms allows for the SAM of the resulting fiber laser to be coupled with OAM in a particular direction.”
Helical pattern of OAM modes
To be more precise, instead of simply rotating around the axis of the laser beam, the wavefront of such a fiber laser system orbits that axis and therefore travels in a helical pattern.
Chirality and information expansion
OAM mode of the laser system follows its chirality, the direction those helices twist, and how close together its twists are. Herewith, the new fiber laser technology has been already tested and demonstrated the ability to emit five distinct OAM modes leading to expanding the information channel of such fiber lasers by up to five times.
About Optromix Inc.
If you are looking for a compact highly-efficient laser system, the Optromix company is ready to manufacture it. Optromix is a manufacturer of laser systems, optical fiber sensors, and optical monitoring systems. We develop and manufacture a broad variety of fiber lasers, high powered fiber lasers, and other types. We offer simple laser products, as well as sophisticated fiber laser systems with unique characteristics, based on the client’s inquiry.
Moreover, our fiber lasers are exceptionally light and compact and can be embedded in other devices or used in mobile applications. Our company offers single-mode Erbium lasers and Ytterbium lasers as well as single-frequency fiber lasers (similar to DFB lasers), wavelength-tunable fiber laser systems, and unique DUV fiber laser system.
We manufacture laser modules using our technologies based on the advanced research work and patents of the international R&D team. Laser processes are of high quality, high precision, easily-automated manufacturing solutions that provide repeatability and flexibility. If you have any questions or would like to buy a fiber laser system, please contact us at info@optromix.com