Optimization of the phase mask for LP₁₁ mode light using the simulated annealing algorithm

This study investigates the application of the Simulated Annealing Algorithm (SAA) to optimize phase masks in Spatial Light Modulators (SLM) for generating LP<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">11</inf> mode light. SAA, a robust global optimization method, utilizes a probabilistic acceptance mechanism to explore complex solution landscapes and avoid local optima. In the experiment, a 660 nm laser source was used, with an initial phase mask loaded onto the SLM. The modulated light field was captured by a CCD, and the phase mask was iteratively optimized using a correlation coefficient as a cost function. The optimized phase mask significantly improved the correlation coefficient with the theoretical LP<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">11</inf> mode, increasing it from 65% to 99%. This result demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method in generating high-fidelity optical mode. This study highlights the potential of SAA in free-space optical systems and its applicability to high-capacity optical communication technologies, offering promising advancements in mode conversion and multiplexing schemes.