Singular phase dynamics in vortical optical beam

Olga V. Tikhomirova; Valerii P. Aksenov

doi:10.1117/12.737555

29 October 2007 Singular phase dynamics in vortical optical beam

Proceedings Volume 6747, Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems X; 67470N (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.737555
Event: SPIE Remote Sensing, 2007, Florence, Italy

Abstract

The spatial dynamics of vortex dipole nested in a Gaussian optical beam is analyzed with scalar diffraction theory. It is shown that the generation and annihilation of vortices are accompanied by extreme wave front distortions. Process of nucleation and annihilation of vortex dipole is considered to confirm the vortex aftereffect in the process of transformation of an aberration wave front into a singular one. After the vortex dipole annihilation the absolute values of the average and Gaussian curvatures increase greatly in the local areas of wave front. The phase reconstruction error increases in these areas in the process of wave front sensing. To investigate the features of the vortex aftereffect for simple field the light rays which take part in the combined translational and rotary motion of energy around the field zero-lines are constructed. The phase is computed as a potential of the optical field using the light rays. Integration of the phase gradient along the ray or energy-stream line allows a unique value of the phase to be connected with a point of the ray. Wave front of the beam is constructed from the computed phase. As in the vicinity of the vortex core the energy-stream line takes a spiral shape the phase incursion along the line increases. After the vortex annihilation and vanishing of the spiral shape the incursion remains and creates the vortex aftereffect in the form of the extreme wave front distortions. The revealed effect should be taken into account when constructing the systems of adaptive optics aimed at functioning in strong turbulence conditions.

Citation Download Citation

Olga V. Tikhomirova and Valerii P. Aksenov "Singular phase dynamics in vortical optical beam", Proc. SPIE 6747, Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems X, 67470N (29 October 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.737555

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