Generation of circular symmetric Airy vortex beams based on spin-multiplexed metasurface

Abstract

Given that circular symmetric Airy vortex beam (CSAVB) was found to possess a stable central cavity and an opposing transport process to circular Airy vortex beam, it has been recognized as a potentially powerful tool for particle trapping and optical communication. In order to facilitate broader application scenarios, this paper presents a novel approach to the generation of multiple CASVBs based on a single metasurface. In the proposed method, three independent CSAVBs carrying different new kinds of power-exponent-phase vortices (NPEPVs) can be obtained under two orthogonal circularly polarized or an arbitrary linear polarized incident, respectively. Each of these vortex structures is characterized by a distinct orbital angular momentum, which is jointly determined by two parameters of the NPEPVs. This indicates that the CSAVB and the device have greater freedom than the canonical optical vortex beams and the previous vortex beam generators in controlling the optical vortex. These results have the potential to advance the development of vortex beams and enhance their applications in micromanipulation, optical communication and imaging.