Generation of an elliptic hollow beam using Mathieu and Bessel functions

Holographic generation and orbital angular momentum of high-order Mathieu beams : Special issue on atoms and angular momentum of light

Abstract: We report the first experimental generation of high-order Mathieu beams and confirm their propagation invariance over a limited range. In our experiment we use a computer-generated phase hologram. The peculiar behaviour of the vortices in Mathieu beams gives rise to questions about their orbital-angular-momentum content, which we calculate by performing a decomposition in terms of Bessel beams.

Generation of a high-quality partially coherent dark hollow beam with a multimode fiber

Abstract: We report the experimental generation of a high-quality partially coherent dark hollow beam (DHB) by coupling a partially coherent beam into a multimode fiber (MMF) with a suitable incidence angle. The interference experiment of the generated partially coherent DHB passing through double slits is demonstrated. It is found that the coupling efficiency of the MMF, the quality, and the coherence of the generated partially coherent DHB are closely controlled by the coherence of the input beam.

Scintillation properties of dark hollow beams in a weak turbulent atmosphere

Abstract: The on-axis scintillation index for a circular dark hollow beam (DHB) propagating in a weak turbulent atmosphere is formulated, and the scintillation properties of a DHB are investigated in detail. The scintillation index for a DHB reduces to the scintillation index for a Gaussian beam, an annular beam and a flat-topped beam under certain conditions. It is found that the scintillation index of a DHB is closely related to the beam parameters and can be lower than that of a Gaussian beam, an annular beam and a flat-topped beam in a weak turbulent atmosphere at smaller waist sizes and longer propagation lengths.

Scintillation of astigmatic dark hollow beams in weak atmospheric turbulence

Abstract: The scintillation properties of astigmatic dark hollow beams (DHBs) in weak atmospheric turbulence were investigated in detail. An explicit expression for the on-axis scintillation index of an astigmatic DHB propagating in weak atmospheric turbulence was derived. It was found that the scintillation index value of an astigmatic DHB with suitable astigmatism (i.e., ratio of the beam waist size in the x direction to that in the y direction), dark size, beam waist size, and wavelength can be smaller than that of a stigmatic DHB and that of stigmatic and astigmatic flat-topped, annular, and Gaussian beams in weak atmospheric turbulence particularly at long propagation ranges. Our results will be useful in long-distance free-space optical communications.

Elliptical Laguerre-Gaussian correlated Schell-model beam.

Abstract: A new kind of partially coherent beam with non-conventional correlation function named elliptical Laguerre-Gaussian correlated Schell-model (LGCSM) beam is introduced. Analytical propagation formula for an elliptical LGCSM beam passing through a stigmatic ABCD optical system is derived. The elliptical LGCSM beam exhibits unique features on propagation, e.g., its intensity in the far field (or in the focal plane) displays an elliptical ring-shaped beam profile, being qualitatively different from the circular ring-shaped beam profile of the circular LGCSM beam. Furthermore, we carry out experimental generation of an elliptical LGCSM beam with controllable ellipticity, and measure its focusing properties. Our experimental results are consistent with the theoretical predictions. The elliptical LGCSM beam will be useful in atomic optics.

Mathematical Methods for Physicists

Abstract: Vector Analysis. Curved Coordinates, Tensors. Determinants and Matrices. Group Theory. Infinite Series. Functions of a Complex Variable I. Functions of a Complex Variable II. Differential Equations. Sturm-Liouville Theory. Gamma-Factrial Function. Bessel Functions. Legendre Functions. Special Functions. Fourier Series. Integral Transforms. Integral Equations. Calculus of Variations. Nonlinear Methods and Chaos.

Exact solutions for nondiffracting beams. I. The scalar theory

Abstract: We present exact, nonsingular solutions of the scalar-wave equation for beams that are nondiffracting. This means that the intensity pattern in a transverse plane is unaltered by propagating in free space. These beams can have extremely narrow intensity profiles with effective widths as small as several wavelengths and yet possess an infinite depth of field. We further show (by using numerical simulations based on scalar diffraction theory) that physically realizable finite-aperture approximations to the exact solutions can also possess an extremely large depth of field.