A position-based method for detecting orbital angular momentum modes

Abstract Due to the inherent limitations of current orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode detection methods and constraints posed by the physical size of receiving antennas, accurately identifying higher-order OAM modes represents a significant challenge. Therefore, there is a pressing necessity to overcome these hurdles. This paper introduces a new approach to OAM mode detection that exploits positional information. Our methodology ascertains the OAM mode by examining the phase and position data of the electric field at any two randomly chosen points within the energy’s spatial distribution radiated by vortex electromagnetic waves. This innovation promises not only to precisely detect higher-order OAM modes but also grants greater versatility in the placement of receiving antennas. Moreover, the study delves into the correlation between the electric field phase of vortex electromagnetic waves, the azimuth angle, and the receiving distance. The validity of our approach is confirmed through both simulation outcomes and experimental data derived from physical tests.