A feasibility study of the use of bounded beams resembling the shape of evanescent and inhomogeneous waves

Plane waves are solutions of the visco-elastic wave equation. Their wave vector can be real for homogeneous plane waves or complex for inhomogeneous and evanescent plane waves. Although interesting from a theoretical point of view, complex wave vectors normally only emerge naturally when propagation or scattering is studied of sound under the appearance of damping effects. Because of the particular behavior of inhomogeneous and evanescent waves and their estimated efficiency for surface wave generation, bounded beams, experimentally mimicking their infinite counterparts similar to (wide) Gaussian beams imitating infinite harmonic plane waves, are of special interest in this report. The study describes the behavior of bounded inhomogeneous and bounded evanescent waves in terms of amplitude and phase distribution as well as energy flow direction. The outcome is of importance to the applicability of bounded inhomogeneous ultrasonic waves for nondestructive testing.     

Anomalies in the field of a gaussian beam near focus

A theoretical analysis of the electromagnetic field of a focused gaussian beam, like that produced by some lasers, indicates anomalies in the field distribution over the focal region. The transverse component of the electric field is shown graphically in this region using data obtained through the numerical integration of an expression that is exact according to Maxwell's equations. These data agree with the standard paraxial theories used to describe gaussian beams only asymtotically, in the limit of zero beam divergence about focus. As the divergence is increased, so that the beam is brought more sharply to focus, the gaussian beam evolves toward a dipole field from which all evanescent plane waves have been removed. Gaussian beams observed in nature should show some evidence of the associated anomalies, even if the beam is almost collimated.     

The reflection of bounded inhomogeneous waves on a liquid/solid interface

Fourier analysis and normal mode theory are used to describe the reflection of bounded inhomogeneous waves on a liquid/solid interface. Nonspecular reflection phenomena in the Rayleigh angle are studied in detail. In this way, an explanation is given for the Rayleigh dip phenomenon for positive inhomogeneity factors and the related result of a reflection coefficient larger than unity when the sign of the inhomogeneity factor is reversed. In the limit of large beamwidths, the reflection coefficient predicted by the infinite plane inhomogeneous wave theory is obtained. These results are entirely consistent with the experimental work published by Deschamps [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 96, 2841-2848 (1994)]. The energy efficiency of Rayleigh wave excitation is investigated as well. It is shown that for large beamwidths, the energy efficiency for bounded inhomogeneous waves is considerably higher in comparison with Gaussian and square-profiled beams.     

Plane Wave and Gaussian Beam Scattering by Long Dielectric Cylinders: 2.5D Simulations versus Measurements

For the development of millimeter wave imaging systems, it is important to be able to simulate some representative scattering configurations. Typically, Gaussian beams are used in active imaging systems. Since these beams only illuminate a spatially limited region, many objects can be treated as infinitely long 2D (in)homogenous cylinders. However, the incident Gaussian beams have a 3D character. Therefore, a dedicated 2.5D scattering simulator was developed. In this paper, simulation results obtained with this simulator are compared to measurements obtained from a bi-static microwave set-up and from a W-band millimeter wave set-up. Comparison of simulations and measurements proves that the 2.5D algorithm is a good simulation tool to study scattering of long inhomogeneous cylinders, illuminated by 3D plane waves or 3D Gaussian beams under different elevation angles.     

A generalized approach to beam wave interaction with a dielectric interface

New phenomena have been reported recently in connection with Gaussian beam interaction with a plane dielectric interface, namely, the deterioration of the reflected and refracted beams from shapes predicted by geometric optics, and the generation of higherorder components that cause angular beam deflection. Any bounded, symmetric beam, which is not necessarily Gaussian, can be comprised in terms of an angular spectrum of plane waves. Utilizing such a modal expansion, a model of the interaction process that seems to point out the generality of the phenomena involved for bounded symmetrical beams with any cross-section is presented. The procedure is applied to a Cauchy profile, and analytical results are given. Comparison with previous results obtained for the Gaussian beam and careful examination of the respective spectral functions demonstrate close correspondence between the results. This adds credence to the general approach presented here which can be applied to bounded symmetrical beams of general shape.     

Gaussian beam parameter transformation at a refracting surface

The Fourier transform method is used to calculate the electric field of the astigmatic gaussian beam which appears when an incident stigmatic gaussian beam is refracted at the interface between media with different refractive indices. A beam parameter transformation law is derived which shows that the beam parameters of the refracted astigmatic beam can be calculated from the beam parameters of the incident stigmatic beam and the angles of incidence and refraction. An heuristic derivation of the transformation law based on geometrical optics is also given. The application of the law is illustrated by determining the plane parallel plate astigmatism.     

Density-matrix formalism for partially coherent optical fields propagating in slightly inhomogeneous media

The integral of motion method and the density matrix formalism are used to describe the propagation of partially coherent radiation in slightly inhomogeneous media. Expressions for the parameters of partially coherent gaussian beams in media with general square-law refractive-index distributions are obtained using operator algebra. New equations for the correlation function are formulated and beam invariants are obtained.     

Scattering of Gaussian beam by arbitrarily shaped inhomogeneous particles

A hybrid finite element-boundary integral method is applied to characterize the scattering of an arbitrarily incident-focused Gaussian beam by arbitrarily shaped inhomogeneous particles. Specifically, the Davis–Barton fifth-order approximation in combination with rotation Euler angles is used to represent the arbitrarily incident Gaussian beams. The finite element method is employed to formulate the fields in the interior region of the inhomogeneous particle, while the boundary integral equation is applied to represent the fields in the exterior region. The interior and exterior fields are coupled by means of the field continuity conditions. To reduce the computational burden, the frontal method and the multilevel fast multipole algorithm are adopted to solve the resultant matrix equation. Numerical results for differential scattering cross sections of several selected inhomogeneous particles are presented and can be served as further study on this subject.     

The electromagnetic field of a guided Gaussian beam

An electromagnetic wave traveling along a dielectric slab between two parallel, plane conductors is analyzed for a special case that is particularly relevant to guided laser beams employed in integrated optics. The beam is assumed to have an approximate gaussian field dependence along the y-direction, defined to be transverse to the direction of propagation and to the normal to the conductor planes. Approximate expressions for the field in a well collimated beam are derived. Asymptotic approximations, valid far away from the focus of a beam that is not necessarily well collimated, are also derived. It is found that the TE and TM guided gaussian beams are not linearly polarized. This is unlike the case for the usual waveguide modes whose fields are constant along the y direction. It is also found that the guided gaussian beam must have a focus and that the divergence from focus is more rapid than for a similar gaussian beam in free space.     

Gaussian beam diffraction by a quasi-optical grating for coupling to lower-hybrid plasma waves

This paper is dedicated to the theoretical approach to the problem of modelling quasi-optical launchers of plasma waves in the lower-hybrid range of frequencies, when a gaussian beam is the incident field. Numerical results are presented and discussed comparing the cases of a gaussian beam and a plane wave as an incident field [1].     

A General Spectral-Domain Formulation of the Electromagnetic Scattering by a Perfectly Conducting Circular Cylinder

A full-wave method for the two-dimensional scattering problem by a perfectly conducting circular cylinder is presented, providing an exact solution for the Helmholtz equation in very general cases. The method is based on the Fourier series expression of the boundary conditions (Dirichlet and Neumann) generated by an arbitrary, finite-power, incident beam, and the analysis is performed in the complex plane of the analytic continuation of a space spectral variable. This approach allows us to define an analytic continuation for cylindrical wave expansions, working with lossy propagation media and with a full incident spectrum, including inhomogeneous waves, both in E and in H polarization. Convergence of the modal expansion is investigated, to verify that very weak hypotheses are needed, and no geometrical or paraxial approximation is required. Extact expressions for the expansion coefficients are given, in terms of complex intergrations involving the Fourier spectrum of the incident beam.     

Diffraction patterns of off-axis gaussian beams in the presence of third-order spherical aberration in the optical system

The intensity distribution of diffraction patterns for off-axis gaussian beams at the image plane of an optical system with third-order spherical aberration is calculated by using the concept of the beam aberration function previously introduced by the present authors. The results show how the peak intensity of the diffraction patterns diminishes and how the transversel focal shift occurs as a function of the incident position of the beams at the pupil plane and their beam size.     

A useful analytical description of the coefficients in an inhomogeneous wave decomposition of a symmetrical bounded beam

If a bounded beam is described using a superposition of infinite inhomogeneous waves, the values of the coefficients attributed to each inhomogeneous wave are found using a classical optimization procedure, whence it is impossible to describe the obtained values analytically. In this paper, we develop a new and easy to apply straightforward analytical method to find the appropriate values of the sought coefficients. Supplementary to its analytical and straightforward nature, the method proves to reduce the inherent instabilities found in the inhomogeneous wave decomposition.     

分数傅里叶变换面上余弦-高斯光束的变换特性

 利用Wigner分布函数的方法，研究了余弦-高斯光束的分数傅里叶变换特性。导出了余弦-高斯光束在分数傅里叶变换面上光强分布和束宽的解析计算公式，并对此进行了数值模拟计算。研究表明：分数傅里叶变换阶数对余弦-高斯光束的光强分布有明显影响，余弦-高斯光束的轴上光强随分数傅里叶变换阶数呈周期性变化，束宽随分数傅里叶变换阶数也呈周期性变化，周期为2；对给定调制参数的余弦-高斯光束，通过适当选取分数傅里叶变化阶数可以获得平顶的光强分布。     

Transformations of spherical beam shape coefficients in generalized Lorenz-Mie theories through rotations of coordinate systems. IV. Plane waves

This paper is the fourth of a series devoted to the transformation of beam shape coefficients through rotations of coordinate systems. These coefficients are required to express electromagnetic fields of laser beams in expanded forms, for instance for use in some generalized Lorenz-Mie theories. The main result of Part I has been the theorem of transformation of beam shape coefficients under rotations. Part II dealt with the special case of on-axis axisymmetric beams. Part III dealt with other special cases, namely when the Euler angles specifying the rotation are given some special values. The present Part IV studies another special case, namely the one of plane waves viewed as special on-axis axisymmetric beams, and can therefore be viewed as a special case of Part II. Unexpectedly, it is found that, in general, although plane waves are fairly trivial, their expansions require using non trivial beam shape coefficients, exactly as required when dealing with arbitrary shaped beams.     

Inhomogeneous relativistic electron beam interaction with inhomogeneous warm plasma

The interaction of inhomogeneous relativistic electron beam with inhomogeneous bounded warm plasma, which leads to amplification of waves, is analyzed. It is shown that due to the resonant increase in wave’s field with a decrease in the plasma permittivity to zero, the power absorbed by plasma is finite and depends on the plasma thermal velocity. The relativistic electron beam not only amplifies waves in plasma but also provides efficient absorption of these waves by plasma.     

光束分数傅里叶变换的Wigner分布函数分析方法

利用Wigner分布函数(WDF)方法，对光束的分数傅里叶变换特性进行了研究.以厄米 高斯(H G)光束为例，导出了H G光束在分数傅里叶变换面上光强分布的解析公式和H G光束在分数傅里叶变换面上束宽的解析计算公式.通过数值计算研究了H G光束光强随分数傅里叶变换阶数变化的规律.研究表明：选取适当的分数傅里叶变换阶数p，在x，y方向可以得到相等束宽的对称光强分布. 关键词： Wigner分布函数 厄米 高斯(H G)光束 分数傅里叶变换     

参考光波面质量对全息存储质量影响的数值模拟研究

采用数值模拟方法研究了不同种类参考光波面质量对再现图像质量的影响.针对全息实验实际情况,对二值图像建立了傅里叶变换全息图记录和读出的物理模型,分别考察采用一般平面波参考光、高斯光束球面波参考光和散斑参考光时的读出图像质量,并以信噪比损失作为衡量图像质量的定量工具.模拟结果表明,在理想平面波参考光和球面波参考光的情形,全息读出图像质量非常好,与输入图像相比信噪比损失在0.6dB以下.但是对于散斑参考光,尽管其极优的位移选择性提供了高密度存储的可能性,但再现图像质量明显变差,信噪比损失在5dB以上,实现有效的数据存储位密度将是十分困难的.为了兼顾存储密度和再现质量,应该考虑优化参考光的途径.     

Counterpropagating pattern dynamics: From narrow to broad beams

The development of patterns in counterpropagating (CP) beams in saturable Kerr-like media is investigated in a numerical study, by varying the width of beams. A model of interacting mutually incoherent beams is adopted, with slow local changes in the index of refraction, and a numerical simulation of propagating beams is performed for different values of the driving parameters. Linear stability analysis (LSA) of CP beams is carried out, and a modulational instability threshold for the appearance of side beams is determined. The results of LSA, concerning the instability of plane waves, are compared with the numerical results concerning broad hyper-Gaussian beams whose width is varied. Qualitative agreement is found, due to the similarity between plane waves and flat-top hyper-Gaussian beam profiles. Owing to very slow quasi-steady-state changes in the system during time evolution, the transverse characteristics of beam distributions, determined by LSA, are found to persist for long in the transient evolution of CP beams.     

Geometrical optics of beams with vortices: Berry phase and orbital angular momentum Hall effect

We consider propagation of a paraxial beam carrying the spin angular momentum (polarization) and intrinsic orbital angular momentum (IOAM) in a smoothly inhomogeneous isotropic medium. It is shown that the presence of IOAM can dramatically enhance and rearrange the topological phenomena that previously were considered solely in connection to the polarization of transverse waves. In particular, the appearance of a new type of Berry phase that describes the parallel transport of the beam structure along a curved ray is predicted. We derive the ray equations demonstrating the splitting of beams with different values of IOAM. This is the orbital angular momentum Hall effect, which resembles the Magnus effect for optical vortices. Unlike the spin Hall effect of photons, it can be much larger in magnitude and is inherent to waves of any nature. Experimental means to detect the phenomena are discussed.