Invention:
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a method to efficiently generate high power Bessel-like beams using methods that are significantly simpler than those commonly used. The new method allows fine tailoring of output beam characteristics and works over a large range of wavelengths or with white light sources. This novel method provides a wide range of output power from milliwatts up to tens of watts.
Background:
Non-diffracting and "self-healing" Bessel beams have attracted great interest because of their invariant propagation properties. Bessel beams play an important role in optical acceleration, particle guiding and manipulation, imaging, microfabrication, nonlinear optics, and lithography. In comparison to Gaussian beams, Bessel beams do not diverge with propagation and maintain higher power for longer propagation distances. The conventional techniques for generating them require bulk optics, free space elements or careful alignment. Although there are some efforts in compact generating techniques, such as microaxicons and fiber Bragg gratings, these techniques still require a costly manufacturing process and special equipment.
Advantages:
- Fabrication cost is greatly reduced while maintaining high efficiency of the beam
- Output beam characteristic can be dynamically tailored
- Fabrication method is significantly simpler and faster than previous techniques
Applications:
- Biomedical endoscopy and surgery
- Lithography and Microfabrication
- Optical Tweezers; particle guiding and manipulation
- Nonlinear optics
Status: issued U.S. patent #8,717,669
