Experimental realization of scalar and vector perfect Laguerre–Gaussian beams

Abstract

The generation of a perfect optical vortex (POV) has been an important area of research since the concept was introduced by Ostrovsky et al. [Opt. Lett. 38, 534 (2013)]. In this Letter, we provide the details of the experimental demonstration of a POV using perfect Laguerre–Gaussian beams via a phase-only spatial light modulator. The perfect beam properties, including radius, beam width, and ring thickness, are investigated in detail. We verify the vortex nature of the proposed perfect Laguerre–Gaussian beams including their topological charge value and sign. Finally, in addition to the scalar beams, we propose the vector perfect Laguerre–Gaussian beams both theoretically and experimentally and evaluate their perfect characteristics. The derived results clearly illustrate the perfect characteristics of such beams independent of the polarization state. The findings reported here can find significant applications in various fields including optical tweezers, optical imaging, and high capacity optical communications.

Measurement of optical coherence structures of random optical fields using generalized Arago spot experiment

“…( 14)] into the phase-only SLM. We followed the protocol described by Rosales-Guzmãn and Frobes 42,43 to design the computer-generated holograms (CGHs):…”

Robust propagation of a steady optical beam through turbulence with extended depth of focus based on spatial light modulator

“…Airy beams receive a significant amount of attention due to their unique representation in the class of non-diffracting optical waves [8][9][10]. Structuring light with a custom light field is highly desirable and of great value for various applications, such as Hermite-Gauss beams [11][12][13], Laguerre-Gaussian beams [14][15][16], annular beams [17][18][19], and optical vortex beams [20][21][22][23]. In this regard, a variety of methods have been proposed to overcome the effect of diffraction and turbulence to maintain robust propagation, such as nonlinear solitons [24,25] and adaptive optics (AO) [26][27][28].…”

Generation and characterization of customized perfect Laguerre-Gaussian beams with arbitrary profiles

“…So in experiment, the Bessel beams are apodized, e.g., by a Gaussian transmittance [16] and can propagate up to a finite distance without obvious diffraction. Recently, researchers make use of the formal connection between Bessel beams and LG beams (i.e., the relationship between the radial wave number of Bessel beam and the beam waist of LG beam) to propose a new spatial structure beam in theory, referred to as the perfect Laguerre-Gaussian (PLG) beam [17], and it was later verified experimentally [18]. The most striking difference between the PLG beam and the LG beam is that its outer ring's radius is independent of the topological charge.…”