This paper explores using Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) controlled electromagnetic waves for enhanced ground penetrating radar (GPR) imaging and detection. A macroscopic interpretation of OAM is propagating waves with vortexshaped wave fronts. At the photon level OAM appears as a quantum degree of freedom with integer quanta of angular momentum added to each photon. This is in addition to Spin Angular Momentum (SAM). The use of OAM in GPR has at least two potential advantages. The vortex shape may enable better discernment of cylindrical versus non-cylindrical buried objects. At the quantum level entanglement of OAM with other quantum degrees of freedom may enable enhanced imaging, such as the ghost imaging of objects that produce weak signal returns. The results include experiments that demonstrate the generation and reception of EM waves with a circular pattern of antennas operating as phased arrays to produce vortex-shaped waves at frequencies and dimensions typical of conventional GPRs.

Date Published: 30 May 2019
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 11012, Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XXIV, 110121C (30 May 2019); doi: 10.1117/12.2520545

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 11012:
Detection and Sensing of Mines, Explosive Objects, and Obscured Targets XXIV
Steven S. Bishop; Jason C. Isaacs, Editor(s)