We introduce the concept of the perfect optical vortex whose dark hollow radius does not depend on the topological charge. It is shown analytically and experimentally that such a vortex can be approximately generated in the Fourier transforming optical system with a computer-controlled liquid-crystal spatial light modulator.
We propose an improved technique for generating the perfect optical vortex. This technique is notable for the simplicity of its practical realization and high quality of the results. The efficiency of the proposed technique is illustrated with the results of physical experiments and an example of its application in optical trapping of small particles.
From a geometric perspective, the caustic is the most classical description of a wave function since its evolution is governed by the Hamilton–Jacobi equation. On the other hand, according to the Madelung–de Broglie–Bohm equations, the most classical description of a solution to the Schrödinger equation is given by the zeros of the Madelung–Bohm potential. In this work, we compare these descriptions, and, by analyzing how the rays are organized over the caustic, we find that the wave functions with fold caustic are the most classical beams because the zeros of the Madelung–Bohm potential coincide with the caustic. For another type of beam, the Madelung–Bohm potential is in general distinct to zero over the caustic. We have verified these results for the one-dimensional Airy and Pearcey beams, which, according to the catastrophe theory, have stable caustics. Similarly, we introduce the optical Madelung–Bohm potential, and we show that if the optical beam has a caustic of the fold type, then its zeros coincide with the caustic. We have verified this fact for the Bessel beams of nonzero order. Finally, we remark that for certain cases, the zeros of the Madelung–Bohm potential are linked with the superoscillation phenomenon.
The study of light propagation though the atmosphere is crucial in different areas such as astronomy, free-space communications, remote sensing, etc. Since outdoors experiments are expensive and difficult to reproduce it is important to develop realistic numerical and experimental simulations. It has been demonstrated that spatial light modulators (SLMs) are well-suited for simulating different turbulent conditions in the laboratory. Here, we present a programmable experimental setup based on liquid crystal SLMs for simulation and analysis of the beam propagation through weak turbulent atmosphere. The simulator allows changing the propagation distances and atmospheric conditions without the need of moving optical elements. Its performance is tested for Gaussian and vortex beams.
We propose a method for modulation of coherence and polarization of electromagnetic fields, employing two crossed zero-twisted nematic liquid crystal spatial light modulators. In contrast to a similar technique analyzed by Shirai and Wolf [J. Opt. Soc. Am A, 21, 1907, (2004)] our method provides a wide range simultaneous modulation of coherence and polarization. The dependence of the obtained results on different definitions of electromagnetic coherence is considered.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.