Channel Multiplexing in Wireless Terahertz Communications Using Orbital Angular Momentum States

Abstract: We present design and experimental validation of the system for the generation of the Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) states using 3D-printed low-loss metamaterial phase plates for application in the terahertz (THz) wireless communications. By azimuthally varying the hole pattern density within the phase plate, the local effective refractive index is varied, thus also changing the local propagation constant in the azimuthal direction. The OAM of any topological charge can be created by simply varying the thickness of the phase plate. The phase plate with topological charge (m=1) is 3D printed and the amplitude and the phase of the terahertz signal after passing the plate is characterized using the THz-time domain imaging system. Finally, we present the experimental setup and theoretical simulation on the multiplexing and de-multiplexing of several different OAM states for applications in wireless terahertz communication.