arXiv subjects

Wenxiang Yan

Publications and source records attributed to Wenxiang Yan.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Encoding Propagation Invariance into Light

Diffraction governs the axial evolution of optical fields, whereas conventional holographic synthesis primarily controls their transverse structure. Here we add axial diffraction management as an additional design freedom to the transverse_field programmability of holography, enabling the transverse optical function and its diffraction-driven axial evolution to be co_designed. By incorporating established propagation_invariant dynamics into computer_generated hologram and meta_hologram synthesis, we realize task_selectable axial responses in user_defined monochromatic, full-colour and vectorial fields. On a spatial light modulator, the same scalar user_defined field is configured either for a rapidly evolving 1.2_cm depth of field or for an approximately 75_cm propagation_invariant range. Millimetre_scale metasurfaces further enable metre_scale refocusing_free full_colour projection and vectorial colour fields with polarization textures preserved over more than 30 cm. This transverse_axial co_design framework extends holographic field synthesis beyond transverse programmability, providing a broadly compatible route towards task_configurable optical systems and compact multidimensional photonics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

Hydrodynamic Insight Drives Multimodal Light_Field Dynamics via Streamline Engineering

Since the 1970s, analogies between laser dynamics and fluid systems have provided insight into phenomena such as chaos, multistability, and turbulence. Building on this perspective, we model the optical field as an energy fluid and interpret Poynting-vector trajectories as energy streamlines, yielding a unified, three_dimensional map of light's free-space dynamics. By sculpting these streamlines, we develop an approach to talior vortex-beam propagation dynamics that suppresses both diffraction- and OAM-induced broadening. Extending this method to general structured modes, we enable a single field to exhibit customizable multimodal dynamics that integrate features from primary structured light families: the diffraction-free, self-healing behavior of Bessel beams; the tunable self-similarity of Laguerre-Gaussian beams and adjustable self-acceleration of Airy beams. Additionally, it allows for adjustable propagating energy-density profiles to counteract losses. Optical-tweezer experiments,analogous to particle-tracking velocimetry in fluid dynamics, show that trapped microspheres closely follow the designed streamlines, validating the streamline geometries and indicating a potential route toward precision 3D optomechanical control. In a proof-of-principle free-space communication experiment, vortex beams with customized multimodal dynamics demonstrate several improvements, including more independent channels, reduced turbulence-induced mode scattering, and robust non-line-of-sight transmission. Together, the streamline-engineering approach offers a unified and adaptable strategy for tailoring light's propagation dynamics, with potential applications in precision optomechanics, optofluidics, and advanced optical networking.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2025

Vortex-Free Intrinsic Orbital Angular Momentum

Optical orbital angular momentum (OAM) has traditionally relied on vortex beams with helical phase fronts imparting quantized intrinsic OAM. Here, we introduce a fundamentally vortex_free framework where intrinsic OAM arises from the natural curvature of lights energy flow, specifically, the caustic geometry of self_accelerating beams whose curved trajectories act as orbital highways for photons. This OAM generation mechanism is independent of phase vortices but mirrors celestial orbital motion. Through numerical simulations, experimental characterization, and optomechanical measurements using optical tweezers, we demonstrate intrinsic vortex_free OAM rooted solely in beam intensity architecture. Generalizing beyond geometric caustics to arbitrary optical fields, we demonstrate OAM via curved Poynting_vector energy streamlines, unifying conventional vortex and novel vortex_free OAM under a single quantitative framework. Streamline engineering enables customizable rotational dynamics, including hybrid orbital_cyclonic motions reminiscent of tropical storms, with promising applications in precision optomechanics, optofluidics, and optical analogues of fluid dynamics. This energy-flow perspective offers a versatile platform for designing and quantifying OAM across structured light.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Versatile manipulation of light- and dark- seeking particles on demand

We propose a novel approach to enable the agile manipulation of light- and dark-seeking particles. Our approach involves introducing a two-curvilinear perfect optical vortex beam (TC-POVB) generated by superimposing a pair of curved beams. The TC-POVB exhibits the property of a perfect optical vortex, which means that its size remains constant regardless of its topological charge. Additionally, each curve of the TC-POVB can support a distinct orbital flow density (OFD). This enables the application of torques to produce a dark channel that satisfies the requirements for particle size and drives the revolution or rotation motion of the confined dark-seeking particles. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, we manipulate light- and dark-seeking particles experimentally, making them perform various curvilinear trajectories simultaneously, including moving, revolving, and rotating.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

New orbital angular momentum multiplexing strategy: beyond the capacity limit of free-space optical communication

Free space optical (FSO) communication can exploit mode-division multiplexing using orthogonal spatial modes of Laguerre Gaussian beams, such as orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes, wherein OAM multiplexing offers potentially infinite information capacity due to the arbitrary quantization of OAM. Combined with polarization-division multiplexing and wavelength-division multiplexing, OAM multiplexing is a promising solution for future capacity demands. However, the practically addressable number of spatial subchannels is severely limited by the receiver size and the rapid beam expansion with increasing mode order and communication distance. Based on the intrinsic and distinctive property that the divergent degree of the innermost ring of a Laguerre-Gaussian beam is significantly slower than that of the beam cross-section during propagation, here we propose theoretically and demonstrate experimentally a novel communication strategy innermost ring dominated OAM (IRD-OAM) multiplexingn that can overcome these limits and achieve up to 1238% capacity of conventional OAM multiplexing in a canonical FSO link system without any additional hardware modifications. Alternatively, our strategy can also enable longer communication distance (403% of that for conventional OAM multiplexing), or smaller receiver (26.9% in size compared to conventional OAM multiplexing), while maintaining the same capacity as conventional OAM multiplexing. Our work will hasten the development of future FSO communications with ultra high capacity, ultra long distance and highly-integrated devices for deep space, near Earth and Earth surface applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

Customizable Laguerre-Gaussian Perfect Vortex Beams

The recognition in the 1990s that vortex beams (VBs), paraxial light beams with optical vortices, carry orbital angular momentum (OAM), has benefited applications ranging from optical manipulation to high-dimensional classical and quantum information communications. The transverse profiles of common VBs, e.g., Laguerre-Gaussian beam and high-order Bessel beam, are hollow donuts whose radii grow up with OAM inevitably. The inherently unperfect character of the VBs that the radius is always positively correlated with OAM, restricts the application of the VBs in many scenarios like fiber optic data transmission, spatial OAM mode (de)multiplexing communication, and particle manipulation, which call for VBs to have the same scale with distinct OAM or even the small vortex ring for large OAM. Here, we derived a theory based on the most widely used Laguerre-Gaussian beam to generate a brand new type of VB with OAM-independent radii that moves away from the common unperfect constraint, called Laguerre-Gaussian Perfect Vortex Beam (LGPVB). LGPVBs have the self-similar property like common Laguerre-Gaussian beams but can self-heal after suffering disturbance and always remain 'perfection' when propagating. Our Fourier-space design not only allows us to shape the LGPVB's propagating intensity at will, but it also gives LGPVB the fascinating potential to arbitrarily self-accelerate while still perfectly propagating, self-similar, and self-healing. This customizable self-healing LGPVB, whose properties inform our most expectations of VBs, offers a better alternative for application scenarios of common VBs in a wide range of areas.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

Versatile Non-diffracting Perfect Vortex Beams

The rapid scale broadening and divergence increasing of vortex beams (VBs) with orbital angular momentum (OAM), e.g., Laguerre-Gaussian beams, severely impede the wide applications of VBs ranging from optical manipulation to high-dimensional quantum information communications, which call for VBs to have the same transverse scale and divergence for distinct OAM or even the small vortex ring for large OAM. Non-diffracting beams, on the other hand, that are capable of overcoming diffraction without divergence, are very evocative and indeed appealing in numerous applications including atom optics and medical imaging. Here, we propose theoretically and demonstrate experimentally a brand new type of VB having OAM-independent radii meanwhile holding propagation-invariant without divergence as well as self-healing properties, named non-diffracting perfect vortex beam (NDPVB). We work out a versatile toolkit based on Fourier-space analysis to multidimensionally customize NDPVBs at will so that it is of propagating intensity and phase controllability with intriguing customizable behaviors of self-accelerating, self-similar, and self-rotating. This goes beyond tailoring the transverse plane to the higher-dimensional propagating characteristics in structured light beams. A deeper insight into the internal flow revealed and confirmed that the multidimensional customization of NDPVBs is dominated by inducing corresponding multidimensional internal flow, facilitating our understanding of how our design scheme of propagating properties manipulates the internal flows, unveiling the nature of structure formation and behavior transformation of structured light beams.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

Manipulating propagation and evolution of polarization singularities in composite Bessel-like fields

Structured optical fields embedded with polarization singularities (PSs) have attracted extensive attention due to their capability to retain topological invariance during propagation. Many advances in PSs research have been made over the past 20 years in the areas of mathematical description, generation and detection technologies, propagation dynamics, and applications. However, one of the most crucial and difficult tasks continues to be manipulating PSs with multiple degrees of freedom, especially in three-dimensional (3D) tailored optical fields. We propose and demonstrate the longitudinal PS lines obtained by superimposing Bessel-like modes with orthogonal polarization states on composite vector optical fields (VOFs). The embedded PSs in the fields can be manipulated to propagate robustly along arbitrary trajectories, or to annihilate, revive, and transform each other at on-demand positions in 3D space, allowing complex PSs topological morphology and intensity pattern to be flexibly customized. Our findings could spur further research into singular optics and help with applications such as micromanipulation, microstructure fabrication, and optical encryption.

physics.optics↗