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arXiv · 2506.02632

Phase Topology Stability of an Optical Vortex via an Electrically Controlled Twist-Planar Oriented Liquid Crystal Fresnel Lens

Elena Melnikova·Katsiaryna Pantsialeyeva·Dmitry Gorbach·Alexei Tolstik·Sergei Slussarenko Jr.·Alina Karabchevsky
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Abstract

Optical vortices (OVs) have emerged as a revolutionary concept in modern photonics, offering a unique method of manipulating light beyond conventional Gaussian beams. Despite their vast potential, phase topology stability remains unaddressed, limiting their widespread adoption and performance in real-world environments. Here, we reveal the missing link to assessing the stability of optical vortices using an electrically tunable twist-planar liquid crystal (LC) Fresnel lens. The proposed LC-based lens leverages the birefringence and voltage-controlled reconfigurability of liquid crystals to dynamically probe the phase topology of singular beams. By modulating the LC orientation with an applied voltage, we restructure the optical phase in real-time without requiring modifications to the optical setup. The 3V and 35V voltage supply allows for the switch between the "topological charge detection" and "optical singular beam propagation" modes. This eliminates the need for additional optical elements, significantly simplifying the detection and characterization of vortex beams. Experimental and theoretical investigations demonstrate that the vortex topology can be unambiguously identified from the intensity profile observed in the Fourier plane of a lens. Furthermore, the designed device features low power consumption, compact form factor, and seamless integration potential, making it a promising candidate for scalable vortex-based photonic systems.

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Elena Melnikova, Katsiaryna Pantsialeyeva, Dmitry Gorbach, Alexei Tolstik, Sergei Slussarenko Jr., Alina Karabchevsky. 2025-06-03. Phase Topology Stability of an Optical Vortex via an Electrically Controlled Twist-Planar Oriented Liquid Crystal Fresnel Lens. https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.02632

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