Unraveling beam self-healing

Aiello A, Agarwal GS, Paur M, Stoklasa B, Hradil Z, Rehacek J, De La Hoz P, Leuchs G, Sanchez-Soto LL (2017)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Optics Express Optical Society of America

Book Volume: 25

Pages Range: 19147-19157

Journal Issue: 16

DOI: 10.1364/OE.25.019147

Abstract

We show that, contrary to popular belief, diffraction-free beams not only may reconstruct themselves after hitting an opaque obstacle but also, for example, Gaussian beams. We unravel the mathematics and the physics underlying the self-reconstruction mechanism and we provide for a novel definition for the minimum reconstruction distance beyond geometric optics, which is in principle applicable to any optical beam that admits an angular spectrum representation. Moreover, we propose to quantify the self-reconstruction ability of a beam via a newly established degree of self-healing. This is defined via a comparison between the amplitudes, as opposite to intensities, of the original beam and the obstructed one. Such comparison is experimentally accomplished by tailoring an innovative experimental technique based upon Shack-Hartmann wave front reconstruction. We believe that these results can open new avenues in this field.

Authors with CRIS profile

Gerhard Leuchs

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light

Germany (DE) Texas A&M University

United States (USA) (US) Palacky University Olomouc / Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci

Czech Republic (CZ) Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)

Spain (ES)

How to cite

APA:

Aiello, A., Agarwal, G.S., Paur, M., Stoklasa, B., Hradil, Z., Rehacek, J.,... Sanchez-Soto, L.L. (2017). Unraveling beam self-healing. Optics Express, 25(16), 19147-19157. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.25.019147

MLA:

Aiello, Andrea, et al. "Unraveling beam self-healing." Optics Express 25.16 (2017): 19147-19157.

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