Based on the separability of the Helmholtz equation into elliptical cylindrical coordinates, we present another class of invariant optical fields that may have a highly localized distribution along one of the transverse directions and a sharply peaked quasi-periodic structure along the other. These fields are described by the radial and angular Mathieu functions. We identify the corresponding function in the McCutchen sphere that produces this kind of beam and propose an experimental setup for the realization of an invariant optical field.

We show that the orbital angular momentum can be used to unveil lattice properties hidden in diffraction patterns of a simple triangular aperture. Depending on the orbital angular momentum of the incident beam, the far field diffraction pattern reveals a truncated optical lattice associated with the illuminated aperture. This effect can be used to measure the topological charge of light beams.

The behavior of the Mathieu functions is illustrated by using a variety of plots with representative examples taken from mechanics. We show how Mathieu functions can be applied to describe standing, traveling, and rotating waves in physical systems. Some background is provided on notation and analogies with other mathematical functions. Our goal is to increase the familiarity with Mathieu functions in the scientific and academic community using visualization. For this purpose we adopt a strategy based on visual recognition rather than only looking at equations and formulas.

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We report the first experimental observation of parabolic non-diffracting beams, the fourth fundamental family of propagation-invariant optical fields of the Helmholtz equation. We generate the even and odd stationary parabolic beam and with them we are able to produce traveling parabolic beams. It is observed that these fields exhibit a number of unitary in-line vortices that do not interact on propagation. The experimental transverse patterns show an inherent parabolic structure in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. Our results exhibit a transverse energy flow of traveling beams never observed before.