Optical doughnut for optical tweezers

We describe novel optical doughnuts for optical tweezers. With new phase functions, the proposed doughnut beams have dark cores in specified shapes. The technique can offer a simple method for creating a variety of beam shapes to match the trapped objects. One can rotate the beams directly by revolving their phase structures about their axes on the initial plane. The technique for generating the traditional Laguerre-Gaussian beam can be used to create these novel beams.     

Change of the size of vector Bessel beam rings under reflection

We theoretically predict the change of the size of Bessel beam rings under reflection. Considered electromagnetic Bessel beam is the superposition of phase shifted TE and TM polarized Bessel beams. Reflection from a semi-infinite medium and from a slab are studied. The sets of parameters maximizing the effect are discussed.     

广义双曲正弦-高斯光束的Gyrator变换性质和暗空心光束产生

基于Gyrator变换,推导了广义双曲正弦-高斯光束场分布的解析表达式,研究了广义双曲正弦-高斯光束在Gyrator变换平面上的光强分布和相位特性.结果表明,在Gyrator变换过程中,具有边缘位错相位特性的双曲正弦-高斯光束能转换为具有涡旋的暗空心光束,并确定产生的暗空心光束的拓扑荷指数为一,而不具有边缘位错相位特性的双曲余弦-高斯光束则不可能出现空心结构.对影响变换场强度和相位分布的束结构参数及系统参数进行了分析讨论.     

Method for creating hollow light beams with local intensity minima and possibilities for their application

We propose and experimentally realize methods for forming light beams with local spatial intensity minima of different types (hollow light beams), based on application of specially shaped linear optics phase elements. The fields with local intensity minima, obtained as a result of phase conversion, are comparable with respect to transverse dimensions, power, and intensity gradient to the initial gaussian beam focused by means of a spherical lens. The optical layouts were assembled using photostable optical elements and therefore make it possible to create high-power laser fields suitable not only for manipulation of microparticles but also for laser machining of materials, in particular laser welding of metals. Using a phase element with planar symmetry, we can select the optimal laser beam profile that will ensure no burning on the line of contact between the ends of the parts to be welded for high penetration and will make it possible to achieve the maximum possible strength of the weld joint for a specified laser radiation power.     

Interference of a pair of symmetric Collett-Wolf beams

We present a study of the interference of light produced by a pair of mutually correlated Gaussian Schell-model sources. The spatial distributions of the fields produced by these sources are symmetric with respect to a plane through their common center and differ by a phase factor exp(i phi). When phi = 0, the resulting radiation is a beam with an intensity distribution that displays a narrow bright line at its center. When the sources can be regarded as Collett-Wolf sources, the resulting bright line diverges much more slowly than the beam itself. When phi = pi the radiated beam has an intensity distribution with a narrow dark line at its center. The theoretical results are supported by experimental results obtained by use of a modified Michelson interferometer and suggest that the interference of a pair of correlated Collett-Wolf beams can be used to produce a pseudo-nondiffracting beam.     

超衍射极限相干反斯托克斯拉曼散射显微成像技术中空心光束的形成

空心光束的质量是超衍射极限相干反斯托克斯拉曼散射显微成像技术中决定成像质量的一个至关重要的因素. 本文基于菲涅耳衍射理论,分析了螺旋相位片法产生空心光束的物理机理,并且模拟了不同的入射条件对产生的空心光束的影响. 模拟结果表明:波长与相位片中心波长匹配且光强呈圆对称分布的高斯光垂直入射到相位片上,当高斯光束中心与相位片中心完全对准时,可获得较理想的空心光束;入射光光强分布的圆对称性以及入射光中心与相位片中心的对准程度都会影响产生的空心光束的强度分布;同时,高斯光束小角度倾斜入射时,空心光的强度分布仍呈圆对称,却在观察面发生一定的位移;此外,入射光中心波长偏离相位片中心波长不大时,对产生的空心光束的强度分布几乎没有影响. 上述分析结果对用于超衍射相干反斯托克斯拉曼散射显微成像技术中理想空心光束的获取具有重要的指导意义. 关键词： 空心光束 超衍射极限 相干反斯托克斯拉曼散射 螺旋相位片     

Nonlinear beam interactions in semi-infinite waveguide arrays

The interactions between coherent beams launched near the interface of one-dimensional semi-infinite Kerr-type nonlinear waveguide arrays have been theoretically investigated. We have explored the effect of the input intensities, the relative phase of the optical beams, and the modulation of the refractive index of the optical lattices on nonlinear beam interaction dynamics. For in-phase beams with different incident intensities, the highly-localized spatial soliton was dragged in a discrete fashion by a low-intensity diffracting beam. Anomalous fusion of two out-of-phase beams, and energy exchange between the excited channels were observed at high intensities. The possibility of employing nonlinear interactions for optical signal re-addressing, all-optical switching is also discussed.     

4Pi focusing of spatially modulated radially polarized vortex beams

We propose a method for generating focal beams with special intensity distributions using radially polarized vortex beams in a 4Pi configuration. A spherical dark-hollow beam and hollow beam array can be obtained by vortex beams with topological charge of m=1. A dark channel can be generated using vortex beams with topological charge of m=2. The length of the well-defined hollow beam array and the dark channel is about 30λ. These interesting beams are useful in optical trapping and manipulation.     

Spatial filtering dark hollow beams

We describe the synthesis of diffraction free beams and dark hollow beams with features easily tunable using a holographic transmittance. The hologram is generated by interfering two zero order Bessel beams with non-common axis. Spatial filtering techniques are implemented by controlling the illumination during the reconstruction process. The experimental results are for illumination similar to the one used in the recording process, obtaining a set of diffracting free beams. One of these beams propagates quasi-parallel to the surface hologram. For illumination with a plane wave we obtain a dark hollow beam propagating in the same direction as the reconstructions beam. Experimental results are shown in both cases.     

TEM image contrast from antiphase domains in GaAs: Ge(001) grown by MBE

Antiphase domains occur in thin GaAs epitaxial films grown on Ge(001) by molecular beam epitaxy. The domains have been imaged by transmission electron microscopy using 200-type reflections in dark field. The carefully chosen imaging conditions with convergent illumination ensure that doubly diffracted beams from a pair of first order Laue zone discs contribute to the singly diffracted 200-type beams. The three Bragg reflections may add in or out of phase to give domains in either light or dark contrast depending on their polarity.     

Concept of Photorefractive Connection Module by Photorefractive Four-Wave Mixing with Extraordinary Writing Beams and an Ordinary Reading Beam

We propose a new optical network device photorefractive connection module (PRCM) which operates as optical switch, amplifier and signal distributor controlled by parallel optical signals. Simple optical control bus systems can be realized by cascade connection of PRCMs. PRCM branches off a desired channel from the spatial multiplexed optical bus line by appropriate setting of the control beam pattern. PRCM uses cross polarized four wave mixing (CPFWM) with extraordinary polarized writing beams and an ordinary polarized reading beam to achieve a high connection gain to the next PRCM stage. We analyze the phase matching angle of CPFWM in which the optical paths of two pump beams are slightly different. The phase conjugate reflectivity indicating a branching ratio of optical signal is derived and calculated in consideration of the phase mismatching Δk. The optimum pump ratio and the grating vector orientation for the largest phase conjugate reflectivity and signal amplification factor are discussed for optical design of PRCM. Since the measured signal beam power after passing through the BaTiO₃ crystal is three or four times higher than its incident power, PRCM has a sufficient connection gain for optical bus and interconnection systems.     

Lateral beam displacements in transmitting layered structures

The lateral shift of both the reflected and the transmitted beams are examined for incidence on layered configurations. In particular, beam displacements are evaluated at a layer placed between two different semi-infinite media. We find that the reflected beam may undergo a large displacement, which occurs in either a forward or a backward direction. The transmitted beam is also substantially displaced, but its shift occurs in a forward direction only.     

Propagation of a phase-locked circular dark hollow beams array in a turbulent atmosphere

The propagation of phase-locked circular dark hollow beams array in a turbulent atmosphere is studied. An analytical expression for the average intensity distribution at the receiving plane is obtained based on the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle. The effects of turbulence, dark parameter and beam order of the beams array on the intensity pattern are studied and analyzed. It is found that the intensity pattern of the phase-locked circular dark hollow beams array will evolve from a multiple-spot-pattern into a Gaussian beam spot under the isotropic influence of the turbulence. The intensity pattern of beam array with a larger dark parameter and beam order evolves into the Gaussian-shape faster with increasing propagation distance.     

Coherent recombination of laser beams with interferometrical phase control

A HeNe laser beam is split into four component beams which are subsequently transmitted through four polarization-preserving monomode fibres. At the end of the fibres the emerging beams are coherently recombined in pairs in two steps using inverse beamsplitter cubes. The unavoidable phase differences within each pair of beams, which are caused by temperature and pressure fluctuations in the fibre environment, are detected interferometrically at the fibre ends. Using homodyne techniques, these differences are measured and compensated for by lengthening the optical path in the individual fibres with piezo-electric stretching. With appropriate adjustment of the relative phases the emerging beams can be superimposed onto each other so as to re-form one single coherent beam.     

Optical vortex beam shaping by use of highly efficient irregular spiral phase plates for optical micromanipulation

Optical dark traps such as Laguerre-Gaussian beams, modulated optical vortices, and high-order Bessel beams have been used in the micromanipulation of microparticles. Such optical traps are highly versatile, as they are able to trap both high- and low-index microparticles as well as to set them into rotation by use of the orbital angular momentum of light. Holography has been widely used to modulate the shape of an optical vortex for new optical traps. We show that, by designing the shape of a spiral phase plate and using electron-beam lithography for fabrication, one can modulate the amplitude and the phase of an optical vortex with respect to the specific shape of the spiral phase plate as required. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge this is the first report of transferring orbital angular momentum from a spiral phase plate to an absorptive microparticle in an experiment. Hence, with this technique, optical dark traps can easily be designed and fabricated.     

Propagation and coherence properties of higher order partially coherent dark hollow beams in turbulence

We formulate and evaluate in terms of graphical outputs, source and receiver plane expressions, the complex degree of coherence, beam size variation and power in bucket performance for higher order partially coherent dark hollow beams propagating in turbulent atmosphere. Our formulation is able to cover square, rectangular, circular, elliptical geometries for dark hollow and flat-topped beams in one single expression. From the graphical outputs of the receiver plane, it is observed that higher order partially coherent dark hollow beams will initially develop an outer ring around a central lobe, but will eventually evolve towards a Gaussian shape as the propagation distance is extended. It is further observed that stronger turbulence levels and greater partial coherence have similar effects on beam profile. During propagation, modulus of complex degree of coherence of partially coherent dark hollow beams appears to rise above that of the source plane values, reaching as high as near unity. Beam size analysis shows that, among the types examined, (nearly) flat-topped beam experiences the least beam expansion. Power in bucket analysis indicates that lowest order square fully coherent dark beam offers the best power capturing.     

Generations of dark hollow beams and their applications in laser cooling of atoms and all optical-type Bose－Einstein condensation

We report on a new experimental result to generate dark hollow beams by using a geometric optical method. We propose two new methods to produce focused and localized hollow laser beams by using π-phase plates. Using Monte-Carlo simulations, we have studied the Sisyphus cooling of alkali atoms in pyramidal hollow beam gravito-optical traps. We discuss some potential applications of the dark hollow beams in atom optics and the preparation of an all optically-cooled and optically-trapped atomic Bose－Einstein condensation (BEC). Our research shows that an ultracold atomic sample with a temperature of ～ 2μK can be obtained in the pyramidal hollow beam dipole trap and an all optical-type BEC may be realized in a far blue-detuned, hollow beam trap.     

Transverse or off-axis localization of electromagnetic waves in random one- and two-dimensional dielectric systems which are periodic on average

We study the transverse or off-axis localization of electromagnetic waves for several different random dielectric systems which are periodic on average. Unlike previous scalar wave treatments of transverse localization, in the present work we present results based on a full vector treatment of the electromagnetic fields based on Maxwell's equations. In a first system, we consider a random semi-infinite array of slabs with plane waves or finite beams of electromagnetic waves obliquely incident on the slab surfaces. The localization of the fields in a region near the surface of illumination is studied as a function of the oblique angle of incidence. In a second system, an array of semi-infinite slabs with random thickness is considered with an incident finite beam of electromagnetic waves initially directed parallel to the slab surfaces. The spreading of the beam width is computed as it propagates through the array of semi-infinite slabs. In a final system, we consider a semi-infinite array of random dielectric rods (2D system) with obliquely incident plane waves. The localization length of the plane-wave fields is computed as a function of the oblique angle of incidence and as a function of the strength of the disorder of the dielectric medium. All the random media we consider, when averaged over their randomness, are periodic on average. The above systems are studied for both p- and s-polarizations of incident electromagnetic waves, and the difference in the transverse localization of the electromagnetic field for these two polarizations is determined.     

Quantum polarization fluctuations of partially coherent dark hollow beams in non-Kolmogorov turbulence atmosphere

Non-classical polarization properties of dark hollow beams propagating through non-Kolmogorov turbulence are studied. The analytic equation for the polarization degree of the quantization partially coherent dark hollow beams is obtained.It is found that the polarization fluctuations of the quantization partially coherent dark hollow beams are dependent on the turbulence factors and beam parameters with the detection photon numbers. Furthermore, an investigation of the changes in the on-axis propagation point and off-axis propagation point shows that the polarization degree of the quantization partially coherent dark hollow beams presents oscillation for a short propagation distance and gradually returns to zero for a sufficiently long distance.     

Generation of dark hollow beam by use of phase-only filtering

A simple but effective scheme to generate dark hollow beams is proposed by use of phase-only filtering and optical Fourier transform. A Gaussian beam of fundamental mode is modulated by a pre-designed phase mask, which is a piecewise modification of an axicon lens, and followed by a Fourier transform to generate an ideal dark hollow beam at the focal plane. This method has an advantage that the total energy of the beam is conserved under paraxial approximation. Numerical calculations are provided to show the validity of the proposed scheme.