Data exchange between different mode channels is essential in the optical communication network with mode-division multiplexing (MDM). However, there are challenges in realizing mode exchange with low insert loss, low mode crosstalk, and high integration. Here, we designed and fabricated a mode exchange device based on multiplane light conversion (MPLC), which supports the transmission of LP01, LP11a, LP11b, and LP21 modes in the C-band and L-band. The simulated exchanged mode purities are greater than 85%. The phase masks were fabricated on a silicon substrate to facilitate the integration with optical systems, with an insert loss of less than 2.2 dB and mode crosstalk below -21 dB due primarily to machining inaccuracies and alignment errors. We carried out an optical communication experiment with 10 Gbit/s OOK and QPSK data transmission at the wavelength of 1550 nm and obtained excellent performance with the device. It paves the way for flexible data exchange as a building block in MDM optical communication networks.

Optical tweezers have proved to be a powerful tool with a wide range of applications. The gradient force plays a vital role in the stable optical trapping of nano-objects. The scalar method is convenient and effective for analyzing the gradient force in traditional optical trapping. However, when the third-order nonlinear effect of the nano-object is stimulated, the scalar method cannot adequately present the optical response of the metal nanoparticle to the external optical field. Here, we propose a theoretical model to interpret the nonlinear gradient force using the vector method. By combining the optical Kerr effect, the polarizability vector of the metallic nanoparticle is derived. A quantitative analysis is obtained for the gradient force as well as for the optical potential well. The vector method yields better agreement with reported experimental observations. We suggest that this method could lead to a deeper understanding of the physics relevant to nonlinear optical trapping and binding phenomena.

The use of orbital angular momentum (OAM) as an independent dimension for information encryption has garnered considerable attention. However, the multiplexing capacity of OAM is limited, and there is a need for additional dimensions to enhance storage capabilities. We propose and implement orbital angular momentum lattice (OAML) multiplexed holography. The vortex lattice (VL) beam comprises three adjustable parameters: the rotation angle of the VL, the angle between the wave normal and the z axis, which determines the VL’s dimensions, and the topological charge. Both the rotation angle and the VL’s dimensions serve as supplementary encrypted dimensions, contributing azimuthally and radially, respectively. We investigate the mode selectivity of OAML and focus on the aforementioned parameters. Through experimental validation, we demonstrate the practical feasibility of OAML multiplexed holography across multiple dimensions. This groundbreaking development reveals new possibilities for the advancement of practical information encryption systems.

Diffractive optical elements (DOEs) are intricately designed devices with the purpose of manipulating light fields by precisely modifying their wavefronts. The concept of DOEs has its origins dating back to 1948 when D. Gabor first introduced holography. Subsequently, researchers introduced binary optical elements (BOEs), including computer-generated holograms (CGHs), as a distinct category within the realm of DOEs. This was the first revolution in optical devices. The next major breakthrough in light field manipulation occurred during the early 21st century, marked by the advent of metamaterials and metasurfaces. Metasurfaces are particularly appealing due to their ultra-thin, ultra-compact properties and their capacity to exert precise control over virtually every aspect of light fields, including amplitude, phase, polarization, wavelength/frequency, angular momentum, etc. The advancement of light field manipulation with micro/nano-structures has also enabled various applications in fields such as information acquisition, transmission, storage, processing, and display. In this review, we cover the fundamental science, cutting-edge technologies, and wide-ranging applications associated with micro/nano-scale optical devices for regulating light fields. We also delve into the prevailing challenges in the pursuit of developing viable technology for real-world applications. Furthermore, we offer insights into potential future research trends and directions within the realm of light field manipulation.

Cell identification and sorting have been hot topics recently. However, most conventional approaches can only predict the category of a single target, and lack the ability to perform multitarget tasks to provide coordinate information of the targets. This limits the development of high-throughput cell screening technologies. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) systems based on deep-learning algorithms provide the possibility to extract hidden features of cells from original image information. Here, we demonstrate an AI-assisted multitarget processing system for cell identification and sorting. With this system, each target cell can be swiftly and accurately identified in a mixture by extracting cell morphological features, whereafter accurate cell sorting is achieved through noninvasive manipulation by optical tweezers. The AI-assisted model shows promise in guiding the precise manipulation and intelligent detection of high-flux cells, thereby realizing semi-automatic cell research.

A new type of power-exponent-phase vortex-like beams with both quadratic and cubic azimuthal phase gradients is investigated in this work. The intensity and orbital angular momentum (OAM) density distributions are noticeably different when the phase gradient increases or decreases along the azimuth angle, while the orthogonality and total OAM remain constant. The characteristics of the optical field undergo a significant change when the phase shifts from linear to nonlinear, with the variation of the power index having little impact on the beam characteristics under nonlinear phase conditions. These characteristics provide new ideas for applications such as particle manipulation, optical communications, and OAM encryption.

Owing to their unique optical properties and new degrees of freedom, orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams have been applied in various fields. Detection of the topological charges (TCs) of OAM beams is the key step for their applications. However, on-chip sorting of OAM beams with large TCs still remains a challenge. In this paper, Bloch surface wave (BSW) structures with five semi-ring shaped nanoslits are modeled. A spatial separation of 135 nm on the chip is obtained between two neighboring OAM states. OAM beams with TCs up to 35 can be successfully sorted by the BSW structures, which is much larger than that using metallic structures (only seven). BSW structures exhibit better OAM sorting performances than metallic structures. We systematically show how the lower attenuation of BSW structures leads to far superior separation ability compared to surface plasmons propagating on metallic structures. In addition, sorting of two OAM beams with different TCs simultaneously can be achieved in this way. Our results reveal that BSW structures should be an excellent solution for OAM sorting with large TCs, which is beneficial for applications in integrated on-chip devices and optical communications.

The anisotropic absorption and emission from semiconductor CdSe/CdS quantum rods (QRs) provide extra benefits among other photoluminescence nanocrystals. Using photo-induced alignment technique, the QRs can be oriented in liquid crystal polymer matrix at a large scale. In this article, a 2D Dammann grating pattern, within “SKL” characters domains aligned QRs in composite film, was fabricated by multi-step photo exposure using several photo masks, and a continuous geometric lens profile pattern aligned QRs was realized by the single step polarization converting holographic irradiation method. Both polarized optical microscope and fluorescence microscope are employed to determine the liquid crystal director profiles and QRs anisotropic excitation properties. We have been able to orient the QRs in fine binary and continuous patterns that confirms the strong quantum rod aligning ability of the proposed method. Thus, the proposed approach paves a way for photo-induced flexible QRs alignments to provide a highly specific and difficult-to-replicate security application at a large scale.