Multiplexing signals with twisted photons by a circular arc phased array
The theory of multiplexing electromagnetic signals by means of twisted photons generated by a uniform circular array (UCA) is developed in the case when the receiving antenna represents an array of elements located on a circular arc. The radiating elements are characterized by certain current distributions and are not points, in general. The polarization of created electromagnetic waves is fully taken into account. The notion of discrete twisted photons of the order $N$ is introduced and orthogonality of these modes modulo $N$ is established. Both paraxial and planar discrete twisted photons are considered. The explicit expressions for the signals received are obtained. It is shown that, in the simplest scenario, a $K$ times decrease of the circular arc where the receiving array antenna is placed results in a $K$ times decrease of the number of independent information channels. In the more sophisticated approach, one can restore all $N\gg1$ independent information channels in receiving the signal by an array antenna with $N$ elements located on a circular arc with the central angle $2π/K$. However, this problem becomes rapidly ill-conditioned as one increases $K$. The method mitigating this issue is described. The estimates for the corresponding condition numbers are found. The scenario with beam steering, where the radiation produced by the UCA is concentrated near the receiving circular arc array antenna, is also investigated. The orthogonality of the information channels is proved in this case and the corresponding transformation matrix and its condition number are found.