Chinese Optics Letters, Volume. 23, Issue 6, 060603(2025)

Magnetic actuation of paramagnetic liquids for optical beam steering in high-speed optical wireless communications

Mithilesh K. Mane1,2, Amjad Ali1,2,3, Riffat Tehseen1, Arfan Mahmood1, and Jing Xu1,2,3、*
Author Affiliations
  • 1Optical Communication Laboratory, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
  • 2Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Sanya 572025, China
  • 3Donghai Laboratory, Zhoushan 316021, China
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    Figures & Tables(12)
    (a) The schematic diagram of the experimental setup for OBS using a paramagnetic liquid prism. (b) Photographs of a transmitter, a 2 m water tank, and a receiver for FSO and UWOC links.
    Front-facing images depict the behavior of the paramagnetic liquid in response to an external magnetic field. (a)–(e) Effect of an external magnetic field on various paramagnetic chemicals. (f)–(i) Impact of the magnetic field on different concentrations of dysprosium nitrate. The label X0 represents the liquid’s orientation in the absence of any magnetic field. In contrast, +X and −X illustrate the liquid’s orientation when subjected to a magnetic field, with +X showing steering toward the right side of the prism and −X showing steering toward the left.
    (a) Beam steering angles and received optical intensities for different concentrations of dysprosium nitrate. (b) Percentage of power loss in the empty prism and paramagnetic chemicals compared to the direct output power of the LD.
    (a) A schematic illustration of the optical beam spot on the XY plane, showing the beam spot configurations used in optical communication measurements. (b) Optical beam spot measurements along the X and Y axes.
    Frequency responses of the LD-APD back-to-back system, LP-based FSO communication system, and LP-based UWOC system. The inset presents the P-I and V-I curves of the 520 nm pigtail LD.
    (a) Measured BER of the FSO communication link in the 2D plane, and (b) corresponding eye diagrams at various XY locations for data rates of 1.0 and 2.1 Gbps.
    (a) Measured BER of the UWOC link in the 2D plane, and (b) corresponding eye diagrams at various XY locations for data rates of 1.0 and 1.9 Gbps.
    • Table 1. The Concentrations of These Stock Solutions

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      Table 1. The Concentrations of These Stock Solutions

      Sr no.Paramagnetic saltDeionized water (ml)Added chemical wt. (g)Ratio
      1MnCl253.82831:0.766
      2MnSO452.64001:0.528
      3Mn(NO3)256.29741:1.259
      4Gd(NO3)355.33651:1.120
      5Dy(NO3)355.59861:1.067
    • Table 2. The Concentrations of Dysprosium Nitrate Solutions

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      Table 2. The Concentrations of Dysprosium Nitrate Solutions

      Sr no.Deionized water (ml)Added chemical wt. (g)Ratio
      151.39971:0.2799
      252.79931:0.5597
      354.19901:0.8398
      455.59861:1.1200
    • Table 3. Observed OBS Along the ±X and ±Y Axes for Various Paramagnetic Chemicals When Exposed to an External Magnetic Field

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      Table 3. Observed OBS Along the ±X and ±Y Axes for Various Paramagnetic Chemicals When Exposed to an External Magnetic Field

      Sr no.Paramagnetic chemicalX+XY+Y
      1MnCl2−0.60.5−0.50.6
      2MnSO4−0.50.4−0.50.5
      3Mn(NO3)2−1.01.1−1.11.0
      4Gd(NO3)3−0.60.6−0.50.6
      5Dy(NO3)3−1.21.1−1.21.1
    • Table 4. Beam Spot Location for the Measurements of the OWC Links (Cartesian Coordinates)

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      Table 4. Beam Spot Location for the Measurements of the OWC Links (Cartesian Coordinates)

      XY denotationMaximum beam steering observedXY location (FSO)XY location (UWOC)
      X0Y00.0, 0.00.0, 0.00.0, 0.0
      X1Y11.2, 0.00.6, 0.00.5, 0.0
      X2Y20.85, 0.850.42, 0.420.39, 0.39
      X3Y30.0, 1.10.0, 0.60.0, 0.5
      X4Y4−0.85, 0.85−0.42, 0.42−0.39, 0.39
      X5Y5−1.2, 0.0−0.6, 0.0−0.5, 0.0
      X6Y6−0.85, −0.85−0.42, −0.42−0.39, −0.39
      X7Y70.0, −1.20.0, −0.60.0, −0.5
      X8Y80.78, −0.780.42, −0.420.39, −0.39
    • Table 5. Previously Reported Studies on Various Non-Mechanical Beam-Steering Techniques

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      Table 5. Previously Reported Studies on Various Non-Mechanical Beam-Steering Techniques

      Ref.TechniqueAngleData rateRemark
      [10]OPA17°10 GbpsOBS and OWC
      [8]LC micro-lens±3.42°NAOBS
      [13]Polarized grating32.1°NAOBS
      [12]APD18°1.8 GbpsLiDAR
      [9]Metasurface70°NA
      [11]EWOD14.82°1.9 GbpsOBS and OWC
      This studyMagnetic actuation5.98° along the ±X axes and 5.73° along the ±Y axes2.1 Gbps (FSO) and 1.9 Gbps (UWOC)OBS and OWC
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    Mithilesh K. Mane, Amjad Ali, Riffat Tehseen, Arfan Mahmood, Jing Xu, "Magnetic actuation of paramagnetic liquids for optical beam steering in high-speed optical wireless communications," Chin. Opt. Lett. 23, 060603 (2025)

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    Paper Information

    Category: Fiber Optics and Optical Communications

    Received: Nov. 4, 2024

    Accepted: Dec. 25, 2024

    Posted: Dec. 26, 2024

    Published Online: May. 21, 2025

    The Author Email: Jing Xu (jxu-optics@zju.edu.cn)

    DOI:10.3788/COL202523.060603

    CSTR:32184.14.COL202523.060603

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