Selective laser melting
Assembly Line
Chinese Researchers Unveil 3D Printed Vortex Beam Generator
Chinese researchers have developed a new 3D-printed device that generates specialized light beams for wireless communications. The team from Xi’an Jiaotong University created a vortex beam generator that produces twisted light beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM), which can transmit more data than conventional beams. The device was fabricated using selective laser melting technology with aluminum alloy. The beam generator features an integrated gain-filtering system that divides incoming signals into eight equal parts while filtering out unwanted frequencies. This design helps minimize interference and reduces the need for additional components. The all-metal structure avoids dielectric losses, resulting in improved radiation efficiency. “Our OAM beam generator is particularly well suited for 5G/6G wireless communication as well as remote sensing and imaging,” said Yuanxi Cao, corresponding author of the paper. The technology could potentially improve wireless connectivity in high-density situations like music festivals or sports events, where traditional networks often struggle with capacity.