IP Library Granted Patent US 10,921,753
Granted Patent B2
US 10,921,753 · App. 16/127,729 · Granted Feb 16, 2021

System and method for applying orthogonal limitations to light beams using microelectromechanical systems

Inventors: Solyman Ashrafi (Plano, TX); Roger Linquist (Dallas, TX)
Assignee: NXGEN PARTNERS IP, LLC
G03H1/2645G02B26/0833G03H1/2294G03H2225/24
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,921,753
App. No.
16/127,729
Granted
Feb 16, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system contains a light source for generating a plane wave light beam. A MicroElectroMechanical (MEM) system includes an array of micro-mirrors for generating a light beam having a plurality of orbital angular momentum modes multiplexed together within the light beam responsive to the plane wave light beam and control signals for controlling the array of micro-mirrors. A controller generates the control signals to dynamically control a position of each of a plurality of micro-mirrors of the array of micro-mirrors to apply the plurality of orbital angular momentum modes on to the light beam. The controller controls the position of the plurality of micro-mirrors to dynamically generate a plurality of holograms for dynamically applying the plurality orbital angular momentum modes to the plane wave light beam and to dynamically encode a phase and amplitude of the light beam responsive to the control signals.

Claims (21)

1. A system, comprising:

a light source for generating a plane wave light beam;

a MicroElectroMechanical (MEM) system including an array of micro-mirrors for generating a light beam having a plurality of orbital angular momentum modes multiplexed together within the light beam responsive to the plane wave light beam and control signals for controlling the array of micro-mirrors; and

a controller for generating the control signals to dynamically control a position of each of a plurality of micro-mirrors of the array of micro-mirrors to apply the plurality of orbital angular momentum modes on to the light beam, wherein the controller controls the position of the plurality of micro-mirrors to dynamically generate a plurality of holograms for dynamically applying the plurality orbital angular momentum modes to the plane wave light beam and to dynamically encode a phase and amplitude of the light beam by modulating a position and width of a binary amplitude grating within each of the plurality of holograms responsive to the control signals.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the MEM system comprises a digital light processing (DLP) system.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of orbital angular momentum modes comprise one of a Hermite-Gaussian mode or a Laguerre-Gaussian mode.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light beam is used for quantum key distribution.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller generates the control signals to dynamically clock a pattern of the orbital angular momentum modes onto the light beam by dynamically clocking a position of the array of micro-mirrors to encode information within to the light beam.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light beam may be within frequencies from an infrared light range to an ultraviolet light range.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control signals cause the plurality of micro-mirrors of the MEM system to modulate a grating function to generate the plurality of holograms for applying the plurality of orbital angular momentum modes on to the light beam.

8. A method for communication using a MicroElectroMechanical (MEM) system, comprising:

generating a plane wave light beam;

generating a light beam having a plurality of orbital angular momentum modes multiplexed together within the light beam responsive to the plane wave light beam and control signals for controlling an array of micro-mirrors within the MEM system;

generating the control signals to dynamically control a position of each of a plurality of micro-mirrors of the array of micro-mirrors to apply the plurality of orbital angular momentum modes on to the plane wave light beam; and

controlling the position of the plurality of micro-mirrors to dynamically generate a plurality of holograms for dynamically applying the plurality orbital angular momentum modes to the plane wave light beam and dynamically modulating a position and width of a binary amplitude grating within each of the plurality of holograms to dynamically encode a phase and amplitude of the light beam responsive to the control signals responsive to the control signals.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the MEM system comprises a digital light processing (DLP) system.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of orbital angular momentum modes comprise one of a Hermite-Gaussian mode or a Laguerre-Gaussian mode.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the light beam is used for quantum key distribution.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of generating further comprises generating the control signals to dynamically clock a pattern of the orbital angular momentum modes onto the light beam by dynamically clocking a position of the array of micro-mirrors to encode information within to the light beam.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the light beam may be within frequencies from an infrared light range to an ultraviolet light range.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of controlling further comprises controlling the plurality of micro-mirrors of the MEM system to modulate a grating function to generate the plurality of holograms for applying the plurality of orbital angular momentum modes on to the light beam.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 12, 2018
From: ASHRAFI, SOLYMAN; LINQUIST, LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE OF ROGER D. LINQUIST'S ESTATE (DECEASED), NITA SUE
To: NXGEN PARTNERS IP, LLC
Reel/Frame 046846/0792 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 14864511 · Sep 24, 2015
Continuation In Part 14731191 · Jun 4, 2015
Provisional Application 62056227 · Sep 26, 2014
Provisional Application 62035224 · Aug 8, 2014
Related Publication 20190025760A1 · Jan 24, 2019