Fractality of light's darkness

Non-Gaussian anomalous diffusion of optical vortices

Anomalous diffusion of different particlelike entities, the deviation from typical Brownian motion, is ubiquitous in complex physical and biological systems. While optical vortices move randomly in evolving speckle fields, optical vortices have only been observed to exhibit pure Brownian motion in random speckle fields. Here we present direct experimental evidence of the anomalous diffusion of optical vortices in temporally varying speckle patterns from multiple-scattering viscoelastic media. Moreover, we observe two characteristic features, i.e., the self-similarity and the antipersistent correlation of the optical vortex motion, indicating that the mechanism of the observed subdiffusion of optical vortices can only be attributed to fractional Brownian motion (FBM). We further demonstrate that the vortex displacements exhibit a non-Gaussian heavy-tailed distribution. Additionally, we modulate the extent of subdiffusion, such as diffusive scaling exponents, and the non-Gaussianity of optical vortices by altering the viscoelasticity of samples. The discovery of the complex FBM but non-Gaussian subdiffusion of optical vortices may not only offer insight into certain fundamental physics, including the anomalous diffusion of vortices in fluids and the decoupling between Brownianity and Gaussianity, but also suggest a strong potential for utilizing optical vortices as tracers in microrheology instead of the introduced exogenous probe particles in particle tracking microrheology.

The propagation speed of optical speckle

That the speed of light in vacuum is constant is a cornerstone of modern physics. However, recent experiments have shown that when the light field is confined in the transverse plane, the observed propagation speed of the light is reduced. This effect is a consequence of the transverse structure which reduces the component of wavevector of the light in the direction of propagation, thereby modifying both the phase and group velocity. Here, we consider the case of optical speckle, which has a random transverse distribution and is ubiquitous with scales ranging from the microscopic to the astronomical. We numerically investigate the plane-to-plane propagation speed of the optical speckle by using the method of angular spectrum analysis. For a general diffuser with Gaussian scattering over an angular range of 5°, we calculate the slowing of the propagation speed of the optical speckle to be on the order of 1% of the free-space speed, resulting in a significantly higher temporal delay compared to the Bessel and Laguerre-Gaussian beams considered previously. Our results have implications for studying optical speckle in both laboratory and astronomical settings.

Geometric Predictors of Knotted and Linked Arcs

Inspired by how certain proteins “sense” knots and entanglements in DNA molecules, here, we ask if local geometric features that may be used as a readout of the underlying topology of generic polymers exist. We perform molecular simulations of knotted and linked semiflexible polymers and study four geometric measures to predict topological entanglements: local curvature, local density, local 1D writhe, and nonlocal 3D writhe. We discover that local curvature is a poor predictor of entanglements. In contrast, segments with maximum local density or writhe correlate as much as 90% of the time with the shortest knotted and linked arcs. We find that this accuracy is preserved across different knot types and also under significant spherical confinement, which is known to delocalize essential crossings in knotted polymers. We further discover that nonlocal 3D writhe is the best geometric readout of the knot location. Finally, we discuss how these geometric features may be used to computationally analyze entanglements in generic polymer melts and gels.

Generation of polarization singularities with geometric metasurfaces

The polarization singularities are directly generated by using plasmonic metasurfaces with the geometric phase profiles designed to form the Poincaré beams. Different morphologies of polarization topological structures of lemon, star, monstar, spiral, dipole and quadrupole are created by the superpositions of Laguerre–Gauss modes with different orders under orthogonal circular or linear polarization basis. The polarization ellipse patterns and topological features of the produced optical vector fields are analyzed to reveal the properties of the polarization singularities of C-points and L-lines, and the orbital angular momentum states are also measured. The demonstrated polarization singularities generated from the geometric metasurfaces will promise many potential applications related to optical polarization imaging, metrology, optical trapping and quantum information processing.

Creation of optical speckle by randomizing a vortex-lattice

We investigate the number of vortices embedded in a carrier beam needed to produce a speckle pattern and the necessary conditions in terms of their initial distribution and topological charges. A spatial light modulator is used to imprint arrays of vortices in a Gaussian beam, which is propagated in free space for a given distance and then focused in order to induce interaction among the vortices in the focal region. The resulting optical field is analyzed after propagation up to a transverse plane where the carrier beam would recover its initial size in the absence of vortices. The role of different control parameters for obtaining ordered and disordered patterns is discussed. Our experimental study is complemented with a thorough numerical analysis, from which the statistical properties of the disordered patterns are characterized, and the conditions for obtaining well-developed speckle are determined. We also discuss the creation and annihilation of vortex pairs, depending on the initial conditions.

Optical vortices 30 years on: OAM manipulation from topological charge to multiple singularities

Thirty years ago, Coullet et al. proposed that a special optical field exists in laser cavities bearing some analogy with the superfluid vortex. Since then, optical vortices have been widely studied, inspired by the hydrodynamics sharing similar mathematics. Akin to a fluid vortex with a central flow singularity, an optical vortex beam has a phase singularity with a certain topological charge, giving rise to a hollow intensity distribution. Such a beam with helical phase fronts and orbital angular momentum reveals a subtle connection between macroscopic physical optics and microscopic quantum optics. These amazing properties provide a new understanding of a wide range of optical and physical phenomena, including twisting photons, spin-orbital interactions, Bose-Einstein condensates, etc., while the associated technologies for manipulating optical vortices have become increasingly tunable and flexible. Hitherto, owing to these salient properties and optical manipulation technologies, tunable vortex beams have engendered tremendous advanced applications such as optical tweezers, high-order quantum entanglement, and nonlinear optics. This article reviews the recent progress in tunable vortex technologies along with their advanced applications.

Nodal-line dynamics via exact polynomial solutions for coherent waves traversing aberrated imaging systems

We obtain exact polynomial solutions for two-dimensional coherent complex scalar fields propagating through arbitrary aberrated shift-invariant linear imaging systems. These solutions are used to model nodal-line dynamics of coherent fields output by such systems.

Persistence and Lifelong Fidelity of Phase Singularities in Optical Random Waves

Phase singularities are locations where light is twisted like a corkscrew, with positive or negative topological charge depending on the twisting direction. Among the multitude of singularities arising in random wave fields, some can be found at the same location, but only when they exhibit opposite topological charge, which results in their mutual annihilation. New pairs can be created as well. With near-field experiments supported by theory and numerical simulations, we study the persistence and pairing statistics of phase singularities in random optical fields as a function of the excitation wavelength. We demonstrate how such entities can encrypt fundamental properties of the random fields in which they arise.

Orbital angular momentum 25 years on [Invited]

Twenty-five years ago Allen, Beijersbergen, Spreeuw, and Woerdman published their seminal paper establishing that light beams with helical phase-fronts carried an orbital angular momentum. Previously orbital angular momentum had been associated only with high-order atomic/molecular transitions and hence considered to be a rare occurrence. The realization that every photon in a laser beam could carry an orbital angular momentum that was in excess of the angular momentum associated with photon spin has led both to new understandings of optical effects and various applications. These applications range from optical manipulation, imaging and quantum optics, to optical communications. This brief review will examine some of the research in the field to date and consider what future directions might hold.

Quench dynamics of the three-dimensional U(1) complex field theory: Geometric and scaling characterizations of the vortex tangle

We present a detailed study of the equilibrium properties and stochastic dynamic evolution of the U(1)-invariant relativistic complex field theory in three dimensions. This model has been used to describe, in various limits, properties of relativistic bosons at finite chemical potential, type II superconductors, magnetic materials, and aspects of cosmology. We characterize the thermodynamic second-order phase transition in different ways. We study the equilibrium vortex configurations and their statistical and geometrical properties in equilibrium at all temperatures. We show that at very high temperature the statistics of the filaments is the one of fully packed loop models. We identify the temperature, within the ordered phase, at which the number density of vortex lengths falls off algebraically and we associate it to a geometric percolation transition that we characterize in various ways. We measure the fractal properties of the vortex tangle at this threshold. Next, we perform infinite rate quenches from equilibrium in the disordered phase, across the thermodynamic critical point, and deep into the ordered phase. We show that three time regimes can be distinguished: a first approach toward a state that, within numerical accuracy, shares many features with the one at the percolation threshold; a later coarsening process that does not alter, at sufficiently low temperature, the fractal properties of the long vortex loops; and a final approach to equilibrium. These features are independent of the reconnection rule used to build the vortex lines. In each of these regimes we identify the various length scales of the vortices in the system. We also study the scaling properties of the ordering process and the progressive annihilation of topological defects and we prove that the time-dependence of the time-evolving vortex tangle can be described within the dynamic scaling framework.

Vortex knots in tangled quantum eigenfunctions

Tangles of string typically become knotted, from macroscopic twine down to long-chain macromolecules such as DNA. Here, we demonstrate that knotting also occurs in quantum wavefunctions, where the tangled filaments are vortices (nodal lines/phase singularities). The probability that a vortex loop is knotted is found to increase with its length, and a wide gamut of knots from standard tabulations occur. The results follow from computer simulations of random superpositions of degenerate eigenstates of three simple quantum systems: a cube with periodic boundaries, the isotropic three-dimensional harmonic oscillator and the 3-sphere. In the latter two cases, vortex knots occur frequently, even in random eigenfunctions at relatively low energy, and are constrained by the spatial symmetries of the modes. The results suggest that knotted vortex structures are generic in complex three-dimensional wave systems, establishing a topological commonality between wave chaos, polymers and turbulent Bose-Einstein condensates.

Geometric Frustration of Colloidal Dimers on a Honeycomb Magnetic Lattice

We study the phase behavior and the collective dynamics of interacting paramagnetic colloids assembled above a honeycomb lattice of triangular shaped magnetic minima. A frustrated colloidal molecular crystal is realized when filling these potential minima with exactly two particles per pinning site. External in-plane rotating fields are used to anneal the system into different phases, including long range ordered stripes, random fully packed loops, labyrinth and disordered states. At a higher amplitude of the annealing field, the dimer lattice displays a two-step melting transition where the initially immobile dimers perform first localized rotations and later break up by exchanging particles across consecutive lattice minima.

Light's twist

That light travels in straight lines is a statement of the obvious. However, the energy and momentum flow within light beams can twist to form vortices such as eddies in a stream. These twists carry angular momentum, which can make microscopic objects spin, be used to encode extra information in communication systems, enable the design of novel imaging systems and allow new tests of quantum mechanics.

Argand-plane vorticity singularities in complex scalar optical fields: an experimental study using optical speckle

The Cornu spiral is, in essence, the image resulting from an Argand-plane map associated with monochromatic complex scalar plane waves diffracting from an infinite edge. Argand-plane maps can be useful in the analysis of more general optical fields. We experimentally study particular features of Argand-plane mappings known as "vorticity singularities" that are associated with mapping continuous single-valued complex scalar speckle fields to the Argand plane. Vorticity singularities possess a hierarchy of Argand-plane catastrophes including the fold, cusp and elliptic umbilic. We also confirm their connection to vortices in two-dimensional complex scalar waves. The study of vorticity singularities may also have implications for higher-dimensional fields such as coherence functions and multi-component fields such as vector and spinor fields.

Length distributions in loop soups

Statistical lattice ensembles of loops in three or more dimensions typically have phases in which the longest loops fill a finite fraction of the system. In such phases it is natural to ask about the distribution of loop lengths. We show how to calculate moments of these distributions using CP(n-1) or RP(n-1) and O(n) σ models together with replica techniques. The resulting joint length distribution for macroscopic loops is Poisson-Dirichlet with a parameter θ fixed by the loop fugacity and by symmetries of the ensemble. We also discuss features of the length distribution for shorter loops, and use numerical simulations to test and illustrate our conclusions.

Frustrated colloidal ordering and fully packed loops in arrays of optical traps

We propose that a system of colloidal particles interacting with a honeycomb array of optical traps that each contain three wells can be used to realize a fully packed loop model. One of the phases in this system can be mapped to Baxter's three-coloring problem, offering an easily accessible physical realization of this problem. As a function of temperature and interaction strength, we find a series of phases, including long range ordered loop or stripe states, stripes with sliding symmetries, random packed loop states, and disordered states in which the loops break apart. Our geometry could be constructed using ion trap arrays, BEC vortices in optical traps, or magnetic vortices in nanostructured superconductors.

Electron vortex production and control using aberration induced diffraction catastrophes

An aberration corrected electron microscope is used to create electron diffraction catastrophes, containing arrays of intensity zeros threading vortex cores. Vortices are ascribed to these arrays using catastrophe theory, scalar diffraction integrals, and experimentally retrieved phase maps. From measured wave function phases, obtained using focal-series phase retrieval, the orbital angular momentum density is mapped for highly astigmatic electron probes. We observe vortex rings and topological reconnections of nodal lines by tracking the vortex cores using the retrieved phases.

Experimental study on the existence and properties of speckle phase vortices in the diffraction region near random surfaces

We design an optical setup to extract phase vortices in which the interference intensity of reference light wave and speckle fields produced by random screens with different roughness values in the diffraction region near random screens is obtained. Random screens with different roughness are used as samples. Fourier transform is used to extract speckle phase vortices from the interference intensity, and the experimental results show that the phase vortices can be produced when the roughness of the screen is large enough, and they even may appear on the surface. The density of phase vortices would become larger with an increase of the distances in the diffraction region near the random screen. When the distance is certain, the density of phase vortices becomes larger with the increase of roughness. These results would be helpful for understanding the formation of phase vortices.

Universal statistics of vortex lines

We study the vortex lines that are a feature of many random or disordered three-dimensional systems. These show universal statistical properties on long length scales, and geometrical phase transitions analogous to percolation transitions but in distinct universality classes. The field theories for these problems have not previously been identified, so that while many numerical studies have been performed, a framework for interpreting the results has been lacking. We provide such a framework with mappings to simple supersymmetric models. Our main focus is on vortices in short-range-correlated complex fields, which show a geometrical phase transition that we argue is described by the CP(k|k) model (essentially the CP(n-1) model in the replica limit n→1). This can be seen by mapping a lattice version of the problem to a lattice gauge theory. A related field theory with a noncompact gauge field, the 'NCCP(k|k) model', is a supersymmetric extension of the standard dual theory for the XY transition, and we show that XY duality gives another way to understand the appearance of field theories of this type. The supersymmetric descriptions yield results relevant, for example, to vortices in the XY model and in superfluids, to optical vortices, and to certain models of cosmic strings. A distinct but related field theory, the RP(2l|2l) model (or the RP(n-1) model in the limit n→1) describes the unoriented vortices that occur, for instance, in nematic liquid crystals. Finally, we show that in two dimensions, a lattice gauge theory analogous to that discussed in three dimensions gives a simple way to see the known relation between two-dimensional percolation and the CP(k|k) σ model with a θ term.

Tunable optical vortex arrays from a single nematic topological defect

We report on the generation of tunable structured light fields endowed with various sets of phase singularities from a single topological defect in a nematic liquid crystal mesophase. The experimental demonstration relies on the use of electric field-induced nonsingular topological defects called "umbilics."

Analysis of a fully packed loop model arising in a magnetic Coulomb phase

The Coulomb phase of spin ice, and indeed the I(c) phase of water ice, naturally realize a fully packed two-color loop model in 3D. We present a detailed analysis of the statistics of these loops: we find loops spanning the system multiple times hosting a finite fraction of all sites while the average loop length remains finite. We contrast the behavior with an analogous 2D model. We connect this body of results to properties of polymers, percolation and insights from Schramm-Loewner evolution processes. We also study another extended degree of freedom, called worms, which appear as "Dirac strings" in spin ice. We discuss implications of these results for the efficiency of numerical cluster algorithms, and address implications for the ordering properties of a broader class of magnetic systems, e.g., with Heisenberg spins, such as CsNiCrF(6) or ZnCr(2)O(4).

3D loop models and the CP(n-1) sigma model

Many statistical mechanics problems can be framed in terms of random curves; we consider a class of three-dimensional loop models that are prototypes for such ensembles. The models show transitions between phases with infinite loops and short-loop phases. We map them to CP(n-1) sigma models, where n is the loop fugacity. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we find continuous transitions for n=1, 2, 3, and first order transitions for n≥5. The results are relevant to line defects in random media, as well as to Anderson localization and (2+1)-dimensional quantum magnets.

Coherence-vortex lattice formed via Mie scattering of partially coherent light by several dielectric nanospheres

We previously demonstrated that Mie scattering of stationary partially coherent light by dielectric spheres generates coherence vortices. In this Letter, we demonstrate that a lattice of coherence vortices can be generated by Mie scattering of partially coherent electromagnetic waves by a system of three coplanar dielectric spheres. Spontaneous coherence-vortex creation and destruction is observed in our computer modeling of this system.

Entangled optical vortex links

Optical vortices are lines of phase singularity which percolate through all optical fields. We report the entanglement of linked optical vortex loops in the light produced by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. As measured by using a Bell inequality, this entanglement between topological features extends over macroscopic and finite volumes. The entanglement of photons in complex three-dimensional topological states suggests the possibility of entanglement of similar features in other quantum systems describable by complex scalar functions, such as superconductors, superfluids, and Bose-Einstein condensates.

Gegenbauer expansion to model the incident wave-field of a high-order Bessel vortex beam in spherical coordinates

The aim of this short communication is to report that Gegenbauer's (partial-wave) expansion, that may be used (under some specific conditions) to represent the incident field of an acoustical (or optical) high-order Bessel beam (HOBB) in spherical coordinates, anticipates earlier expressions for undistorted waves. The incident wave-field is written in terms of the spherical Bessel function of the first kind, the gamma function as well as the Gegenbauer or ultraspherical functions given in terms of the associated Legendre functions when the order m of the HOBB is an integer number. Expressions for high-order and zero-order Bessel beams as well as for plane progressive waves reported in prior works can be deduced from Gegenbauer's partial-wave expansion by appropriate choice of the beams' parameters. Hence the value of this note becomes historical. In addition, Gegenbauer's expansion in spherical coordinates may be used to advantage to model the wave-field of a fractional HOBB at the origin (i.e. z=0).

Interaction of a nondiffracting high-order Bessel (vortex) beam of fractional type alpha and integer order m with a rigid sphere: linear acoustic scattering and net instantaneous axial force

Closed-form analytical solutions for the acoustic scattering and net axial force of a new class of Bessel beams, termed nondiffracting Bessel vortex beams of fractional type alpha, are derived. This new class of Bessel beams preserves the same nondiffracting feature of conventional high-order Bessel beams of integer order. The far-field acoustic scattering field by a rigid sphere centered on the beam axis is expressed as a partial wave series involving the real number alpha, the scattering angle relative to the beam axis theta, and the half-conical angle beta of the wave number components of the beam. Unlike the acoustic scattering properties of conventional high-order Bessel beams, the acoustic forward scattering (theta = 0 degrees) and backscattering (theta = 180 degrees) of Bessel vortex beams of fractional type alpha by a rigid sphere do not vanish unless alpha becomes an integer number. Furthermore, an expression for the net instantaneous axial force is derived for the case of progressive, stationary, and quasi-stationary waves. These results provide new insights into the acoustic scattering theory in the context of nondiffracting beams. The properties of nondiffracting Bessel vortex beams of fractional type alpha may lead to the development of an "acoustic blender" with possible applications in particle rotation, mixing, and manipulation. Imaging and other related applications may also benefit from this new type of acoustic beams.

Topology of light's darkness

We numerically study the topology of optical vortex lines (nodal lines) in volumes of optical speckle, modeled as superpositions of random plane waves. It is known that the vortex lines may be infinitely long, or form closed loops. Loops are occasionally threaded by infinite lines, or linked with other loops. We find the probability of a loop not being threaded decays exponentially with the length of the loop. This behavior has a similarity to scaling laws studied in superfluid turbulence, and polymers modeled as random walks.

Generation and dynamics of vortex lattices in coherent exciton-polariton fields

Vortex dynamics in coherent ensembles of exciton polaritons (condensates) is studied in the framework of the polarization-dependent Gross-Pitaevskii equation. Vortex lattices can be resonantly excited in the polariton field by the interference of three or more optical pumps. Vortex-antivortex pairs can also appear in polariton condensates due to scattering with disorder. The nonlinear vortex dynamics is characterized by interactions of vortex cores and vortex-antivortex recombination.

Polarization singularities in 2D and 3D speckle fields

The 3D structure of randomly polarized light fields is exemplified by its polarization singularities: lines along which the polarization is purely circular (C lines) and surfaces on which the polarization is linear (L surfaces). We visualize these polarization singularities experimentally in vector laser speckle fields, and in numerical simulations of random wave superpositions. Our results confirm previous analytical predictions [M. R. Dennis, Opt. Commun. 213, 201 (2002)] regarding the statistical distribution of types of C points and relate their 2D properties to their 3D structure.