Single-Pixel Scattering Medium Imaging via Vortex-Structured Beam

Single-pixel imaging (SPI) has attracted considerable interest due to its advantages in non-visible wavebands and low-light conditions. However, when scattering media are present, the signal-to-noise ratio degrades severely. In this letter, we propose a vortex-beam-based single-pixel imaging (VB-SPI) method that exploits the self-torque property of high-order vortex beams- a self-induced phase-gradient focusing effect that enables the beam to partially resist scattering-induced wavefront distortion. By loading a vortex phase pattern onto a spatial light modulator, the illumination field acquires orbital angular momentum, leading to a donut-shaped intensity profile that maintains higher local intensity after propagating through scattering media. Experimental results show that after passing through an 8-bit random phase screen and propagating over 40 cm, the collected light intensity is approximately 6× higher than that under plane-wave illumination. With a sampling ratio as low as 5%, the proposed system achieves clear reconstruction of a USAF1951 resolution target. This work highlights the potential of structured vortex fields for imaging through scattering media, with applications in long-range radar imaging and X-ray coherent diffractive imaging.