Far-field modeling of obstructed Laguerre-Gauss beams

First-order statistics of intensity and phase in Laguerre-Gauss speckles

Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams are characterized by an azimuthal index or topological charge (m), associated with the orbital angular momentum, and by a radial index (p), which represents the number of the rings in the intensity distribution. We present a detailed, systematic study of the first-order phase statistics of the speckle fields created when LG beams of different order interact with random phase screens with different optical roughness. The phase properties of the LG speckle fields are studied in both the Fresnel and the Fraunhofer regimes using the equiprobability density ellipse formalism such that analytical expressions can be derived for the phase statistics.

Analytical method for the description of important obstructed optical beams and the Poisson-Arago spot

In this work, we describe analytically the diffraction of some important beams due to a circular obstacle. In order to obtain the desired results, we deal with the wave equation in paraxial approximation together with the diffraction Fresnel integral and apply the analytical method proposed by Zamboni-Rached et al. [Appl. Opt.51, 3370-3379 (2012)APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.51.003370]. As a byproduct of our method, we notice the formation of the Poisson-Arago spot for ordinary beams (plane wave and Gaussian beam) and a reconstruction of the beam for nondiffracting beams (Bessel beam). Then, we pass to a vectorial analysis for better describing the electromagnetic beams.

Elegant Gaussian beams: nondiffracting nature and self-healing property

Alongside the well-known solutions of standard beams, elegant Gaussian beams (eGBs) have been presented as alternative solutions to the paraxial wave equation. In this work, we show that the eGBs in cartesian (elegant Hermite-Gauss) and cylindrical (elegant Laguerre-Gauss) coordinates are asymptotically equivalent to pseudo-nondiffracting beams (pNDBs) in the same coordinates (cosine-Gauss and Bessel-Gauss, respectively). A theoretical comparison of their intensity distributions at different planes without and with obstruction is given, allowing to revisit and discuss the diffraction-free nature and self-healing property. The obtained results demonstrate that both families of beams are indistinguishable and have similar propagation features, which means that the eGBs class can be used as an alternative to pNDBs.

Optics in Africa: introduction

Africa has a long history in optics, but decades of turmoil have seen optical science in Africa advance only slowly, punching far below its weight. But a younger generation of scientists hold promise for the brighter future, addressing continental issues with photonics. In this Feature Issue on Optics in Africa we capture some of the exciting optical research from across the continent in 51 research reports, covering both fundamental and applied topics. The issue is supplemented by invited review articles that offer authoritative perspectives on the historical development of key research fields, from early advances in lasers to present-day progress in photonic materials. To encourage the exploration of new research directions, the issue has several tutorial articles that lower the entry barrier for emerging researchers, while highlighting the scope of research on the continent and its international context.