Spatially encoded localized wavepackets for ultrafast optical data transfer

Arrays of highly localized wavepackets enable for an efficient multichannel processing of optical data because of their undistorted propagation in space and time domain. Reconfigurable arrangements of supercollimated and temporally nondiffracting few-cycle pulses were generated by microaxicons programmed into the phase map of a liquid-crystal-on-silicon spatial light modulator. As an example, the transfer of quick response code data with few-femtosecond pulses of a Ti:sapphire laser oscillator is reported. Data encoding in beam arrays via maps of temporal and spectral moments is proposed.