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Abstract
| A novel approach to creating long-range Structured Laser Beams (SLB) using optical aberrations is described. By combining optical elements that produce significant spherical and defocus aberrations, it is possible to generate an interference field with both transverse and longitudinal local polarization. This creates an SLB that can propagate as a wave to infinity with an invariant transverse profile, different from Bessel Beams (BB). The size and divergence of the central part of the SLB can be much smaller than those observed in Gaussian beams. Experimental confirmation showed a divergence of 0.01 mrad for the central part of the SLB, from a diameter of less than 10 μm. This method makes it possible to form a hollow beam, where non-perpendicular electric and magnetic fields exist in the central part of the beam. An overview of the properties of these SLBs is presented. |