Authors:
Ioannis D. Chremmos
1
;
Zhigang Chen
2
;
Demetrios N. Christodoulides
3
and
Nikolaos K. Efremidis
1
Affiliations:
1
University of Crete, Greece
;
2
San Francisco State University, United States
;
3
University of Central Florida, United States
Keyword(s):
Laser Beams, Bessel Beams, Diffractionless Beams, Accelerating Beams, Trajectory Engineering.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Computational Optical Sensing and Imaging
;
Lasers
;
Optics
;
Photonics, Optics and Laser Technology
;
Quantum Electronics and Laser Science
Abstract:
We introduce an analytical technique for engineering the trajectory of diffraction-resisting laser beams. The generated beams have a Bessel-like transverse field distribution and can be navigated along rather arbitrary curved paths in free space, thus being an advanced hybrid between accelerating and non-accelerating diffraction-free optical waves. The method involves phase-modulating the wavefront of a Gaussian laser beam to create a continuum of conical ray bundles whose apexes define a prespecified focal curve, along which a nearly perfect circular intensity lobe propagates without diffracting. Through extensive numerical simulations, we demonstrate the great flexibility in the design of a gamut of different beam trajectories. Propagation around obstructions and self-healing scenarios are also investigated. The proposed wave entities can be used extensively for light trajectory control in applications such as laser microfabrication, optical tweezers and curved plasma filamentation
spectroscopy.
(More)