Compact multimode vortex-wave radiator enabled by quasi-1D spoof plasmons

doi:10.1088/1674-1056/ae5f85

Abstract We demonstrate a compact multimode vortex-wave radiator based on quasi-one-dimensional spoof surface plasmon polaritons (quasi-1D SSPP). The structure supports simultaneous generation of four distinct orbital angular momentum modes l = 1, -2, 3, -4 at a single frequency. Enabled by the high propagation constant and strong field confinement of the dispersion-engineered spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPP) waveguide, the device achieves a footprint of only 0.9λ while maintaining high mode purity and low intermodal crosstalk. Although implemented in the microwave regime for experimental accessibility, the subwavelength corrugated geometry and slow-wave phase control mechanism are directly scalable to terahertz and infrared frequencies. This work provides a practical platform for integrated orbital angular momentum (OAM) multiplexing using planar-compatible plasmonic architectures, with potential applications in structured light generation and high-capacity photonic systems.

Keywords: orbital angular momentum spoof surface plasmon polariton multiple OAM radiator compact arrays

Received: 23 December 2025
Revised: 02 April 2026
Accepted manuscript online: 15 April 2026

PACS:	41.20.Jb	(Electromagnetic wave propagation; radiowave propagation)
	73.20.Mf	(Collective excitations (including excitons, polarons, plasmons and other charge-density excitations))
	42.79.Bh	(Lenses, prisms and mirrors)
	42.50.Tx	(Optical angular momentum and its quantum aspects)

Fund: Project supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2025YFE0204200), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 62371255, 62125105, and U24A20223), the Natural Science Research Start-up Foundation of Recruiting Talents of Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications (Grant No. NY223153), and the Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. KYCX25 1123).

Cite this article:

Zhen Liao(廖臻), Zuquan Ao(敖祖权), Yun Li(李赟), Guo-Qing Luo(罗国清), and Leilei Liu(刘蕾蕾) Compact multimode vortex-wave radiator enabled by quasi-1D spoof plasmons 2026 Chin. Phys. B 35 084101

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Compact multimode vortex-wave radiator enabled by quasi-1D spoof plasmons

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