Multichannel terahertz quasi-perfect vortex beams generation enabled by multifunctional metasurfaces

Abstract

Abstract Vortex beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) open a new perspective in various terahertz research. Multichannel and divergence controllable terahertz vortex beam generation holds the key to promoting the development of OAM related terahertz research. Here, we introduced and experimentally demonstrated quasi-perfect vortex beam (Q-PVB) with a controllable divergence angle independent of the topological charge and multichannel Q-PVBs generation with all-dielectric multifunctional metasurfaces. By superimposing specific phase functions together into the metasurfaces, multiple vortex beams and four-channel Q-PVBs with different topological charges are generated as well as focused at separated positions. High resolution characterization of terahertz electric field shows the good quality and broadband properties of Q-PVBs. Interestingly, compared with conventional perfect vortex beam; Q-PVB displays a smaller divergence angle and thinner ring width. The metasurfaces proposed here provide a promising avenue to realize multichannel vortex beams generation in compact terahertz systems; benefiting OAM related researches such as mode division multiplexing, vortex beam related plasmonic enhancement and spinning objective detection.