Laser Beam Positioning by Using a Broken-Down Optical Vortex Marker

Abstract

We propose the use of high-order optical vortices as markers in the positioning of a laser beam. The broken optical vortices are arranged in constellations. The center of gravity of these constellations makes it possible to position the beam carrying information encoded in the optical vortices. This paper describes three positioning methods using both intensity and phase maps. The methods described were tested in experiments performed in a laboratory and an open space.