higher order gaussian beams
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Jennifer L. Nielsen B.S. In progress – University of Missouri-KC Modern Optics and Optical Materials REU Department of Physics University of Arkansas Summer 2008 Faculty Mentor: Dr. Reeta Vyas. Higher Order Gaussian Beams. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Higher Order Gaussian BeamsJennifer L. Nielsen
B.S. In progress – University of Missouri-KC
Modern Optics and Optical Materials REUDepartment of Physics University of Arkansas
Summer 2008
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Reeta Vyas
Transverse Modes of a laser Cross sectional
intensity distribution Intriguing Properties
Angular momentum Polarization properties Applications in optical
tweezing
Different shapes described in different coordinate systems (rectangular, cylindrical, parabolic cylindrical, elliptical, etc...)
Analytical WorkTo derive the higher order Gaussian beam modes, we start out with the paraxial (beam-like) approximation of the wave equation. We then plug in a suitable trial function (ansatz) and work to obtain a solution.
Coordinate systems used in derivationsCartesian coordinates – standard rectangular x, y, z axes
Cylindrical coordinates – basically the polar coordinate system with a z axis.
Parabolic Cylindrical Coordinates - (fancy!)
Special Functions Used Hermite generating
function:
Laguerre generating function:
Parabolic cylindrical functions:
Same functions used in quantum mechanics, as we shall see....
For Cartesian modes, start with this ansatz:
Plug into paraxial—after simplifying and plugging in terms, get this:
Hermite-Gaussian ModesPlotted in Mathematica using “DensityPlot”
Note TEMmn label. TEM stands for transverse electromagneticmode.
The m index – number of intensity minima in the the direction of the electric field oscillation
The n index - number of minima in direction of magnetic field fieldoscillation
Laguerre-Gaussian Modes Plotted in Mathematica as Density Plots
TEMpl
p = radial
l = Φ dependence
plotted fromCosine based function
Reference:Opticsby Karl Dieter Moller
TEM11 – 3D rotation
Rendered in Mathematica 6 and screen captured Left-Rectangular/Hermite; Right-Cylindrical/Laguerre
Orbital Angular Momentum Properties
Azimuthal component Means beam posseses
orbital angular momentum Can convey torque to particles Effect results from the helical phase--
rotation of the field about the beam axis Optical Vortex -field corkscrew
with dark center OAM/photon = ħl
Angular Momentum Properties
A beam that carries spin angular momentum, but no orbital angular momentum, will cause a particle to spin about its own center of mass. (Spin angular momentum is related to the polarization.)
On the other hand, a beam carrying orbital angular momentum (from helical phase)and no spin angular momentum induces a particle to orbit about the center of the beam.
Image Credit: Quantum Imaging, Mikhail Kolobov, Springer 2006
Comparisons with 3D Quantum Harmonic Oscillator
The harmonic oscillator is not z dependent
The equations are analogous but not identical.
Parallels with quantum probability densities obvious.
Hydrogen atom probability densities shown. Plottedin Mathematica.
n = 4 , l = 1, m = 1
n=3, l = 1, m = 1 n=4, l = 0, m = 0 n = 4, l = 2 , m = 1
Further research on parabolic beams necessary....
We are working to plot the beams and plan to study their angular momentum properties.
Special thanks to....
Dr. Reeta Vyas Dr. Lin Oliver Ken Vickers The National Science Foundation The University of Arkansas And everyone who makes this REU possible!
And on a slightly different note....Human beings aren't the only ones fascinated with the properties of lasers....
Any Questions? Ask now or write Jenny at [email protected]