Revealing the essence of optical vortices: a step towards understanding the interaction between light and matter

In a groundbreaking scientific study published in Volume 13 of the Scientific Report, researchers reported on the results of Young's double slit interference experiment using oscillating vortex radiation under a photon counting system. The experiment involves using a spiral oscillator to emit second harmonic radiation in the ultraviolet range. Using an ultra narrow bandpass filter in the low current mode of the electronic storage ring to isolate this radiation and achieve successful counting measurements.

It is worth noting that researchers have observed individual photon spots randomly distributed on the detector. However, when these light spots are integrated together, they reveal interference fringes that exhibit optical vortex characteristics, such as dark fringes at the center, broken and twisted fringes. The reproducibility of these interference fringes was confirmed by calculating the optical path difference between the optical vortex reaching the double slit and the normal double slit interference.

This observation indicates that even single photons emitted by high-energy electrons in spiral motion exhibit optical vortex properties, characterized by spiral wavefronts. In fact, this is the first time this special feature has been observed in a single photon.

Optical vortices are known for their spiral wavefronts and their relationship with orbital angular momentum, which have aroused great interest in our understanding of light matter interactions. They have been studied in various environments, including spectroscopic measurements, particle capture, and their applications in STED microscopy.

Traditionally, the generation of optical vortices is achieved by transforming a Gaussian laser beam. However, this study suggests that the harmonic components of electromagnetic waves emitted by electrons in helical motion naturally have a helical phase structure. This breakthrough discovery raises an interesting question of whether individual electrons generate optical vortices and whether each photon has a spiral wavefront structure. These findings are expected to make significant contributions to the ongoing study of optical wave particle duality.

Source: Laser Net