Detection of Orbital Angular Momentum Modes via Spiral Phase Plate

Abstract: Mode division multiplexing (MDM) systems leveraging spatial modes carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) present a promising approach to enhance communication capacity in free-space and fiber-optic networks. Efficient detection of OAM modes is critical for their practical implementation. Spiral phase plates (SPPs) are low-cost optical elements with simple structures, capable of generating OAM waves with high conversion efficiency and precision. This makes the inverse-SPP a promising candidate for the detection of OAM modes. In this study, the performance of SPPs as OAM detectors is thoroughly analyzed. Key parameters, including efficiency, crosstalk, and signal-to-interference ratio, are examined through analytical and numerical methods. Results demonstrate that an inverse-SPP, combined with an optimized propagation length and aperture size, enables effective and precise OAM detection operation.