Paper 13383-9
Paper 13383-9
Optimizing DMD-based vector beam generation for increased utility
29 January 2025 • 11:20 AM - 11:40 AM PST | Moscone South, Room 206 (Level 2)
Abstract
Structuring the fundamental degrees of freedom of optical beams has exploded as a research area in recent years. DMDs have become a common method to generate these fields. In this work, we address some remaining hurdles to reducing the size, complexity and ease of use of systems able to generate vector beams (beams with inhomogeneous polarization). We analyse some of the design considerations for higher efficiency and remove crosstalk to increase the possible complexity of the beams produced. An increase in the azimuthal index of Laguerre-Gaussian modes from 4 to 15 has been observed. Finally, we built a feedback system to get the resolution of alignment and realignment to sub-300 microns. These improvements and techniques aid in improved dissemination in application areas outside of physics and optics such as chemistry, microscopy, communication and optical characterisation.
Presenter
Button Optics (South Africa), Univ. of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa)
Bertus was born and raised in South Africa and got the chance to pursue his PhD in Quantum Information Technology and AMO physics at Stony Brook University in New York State, thanks to Fulbright and NRF scholarships. After completing his PhD, he spent a year as a postdoc at ETH Zurich before returning to South Africa, where he worked in both the private and public sectors. Bertus eagerly joined the University of the Witwatersrand and Button Optics to contribute to the company's goal of becoming internationally competitive while also promoting the growth of the photonics industry in South Africa.