Basis-neutral Hilbert-space analyzers.

ABSTRACT: Interferometry is one of the central organizing principles of optics. Key to interferometry is the concept of optical delay, which facilitates spectral analysis in terms of time-harmonics. In contrast, when analyzing a beam in a Hilbert space spanned by spatial modes - a critical task for spatial-mode multiplexing and quantum communication - basis-specific principles are invoked that are altogether distinct from that of 'delay'. Here, we extend the traditional concept of temporal delay to the spatial domain, thereby enabling the analysis of a beam in an arbitrary spatial-mode basis - exemplified using Hermite-Gaussian and radial Laguerre-Gaussian modes. Such generalized delays correspond to optical implementations of fractional transforms; for example, the fractional Hankel transform is th

SUBMITTER: Martin L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5366812 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature