Analyzing and generating multimode optical fields using self-configuring networks

Abstract

Working with finite numbers of modes to describe, generate and detect optical fields can be both mathematically economical and physically useful. Such a modal basis can map directly to various applications in communications, sensing and processing. But, we need a way to generate and analyze such fields, including measurement and control of both the relative amplitudes and phases of the modal components. Here, we show first how to measure all those relative amplitudes and phases automatically and simultaneously. The method uses a self-configuring network of 2x2 blocks, such as integrated Mach-Zehnder interferometers, that can automatically align itself to the optical field by a sequence of simple one-parameter power minimizations when network elements, such as phase shifters, are adjusted. The optical field is then directly deduced from the resulting settings of those elements. We show how the entire network can be calibrated for such measurements, automatically and with just two light beams. Then, using the same calibration and running the mesh backwards, we can also controllably generate an arbitrary multimode field. Explicit algorithms and formulas are given for operating this system.

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• Further Compactifying Linear Optical Unitaries
• Measuring, processing, and generating partially coherent light with self-configuring optics
• Photonic integrated processor for structured light detection and distinction
• Photon number resolution without optical mode multiplication
• Global calibration of large-scale photonic integrated circuits
• Spatially resolving amplitude and phase of light with a reconfigurable photonic integrated circuit
• Free space optical communication receiver based on a spatial demultiplexer and a photonic integrated coherent combining circuit
• Passive silicon nitride integrated photonics for spatial intensity and phase sensing of visible light
• Quantum Skyrmions in Mixed States of Light and Their Nested Topology