Generation and characterization of customized perfect Laguerre-Gaussian beams with arbitrary profiles

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate the generation of customized perfect Laguerre-Gaussian (PLG) beams whose intensity maxima localized around any desired curves. The principle is to act appropriate algebraic functions on the angular spectra of PLG beams. We characterize the propagation properties of these beams and compare them with non-diffraction caustic beams possessing the same intensity profiles. The results manifest that the customized-PLG beams can maintain their profiles during propagation and suffer less energy loss than the non-diffraction caustic beams, and hence are able to propagate a longer distance. This new structure beam would have potential applications in areas such as optical communication, soliton routing and steering, optical tweezing and trapping, atom optics, etc.