Efficient mode transformations of degenerate Laguerre-Gaussian beams.
We present an approach for efficient conversion of a single-high-order-mode distribution from a laser to a nearly Gaussian distribution and vice versa. It is based on dividing the high-order mode distribution into equal parts that are then combined together coherently. We implement our approach with several optical arrangements that include a combination of discrete elements and some with single interferometric elements. These arrangements are analyzed and experimentally evaluated for converting the TEM01 mode distribution with Mx(2) = 3 to a nearly Gaussian beam with Mx(2) = 1.045 or Mx(2) = 1.15. The basic principle, design, and experimental results obtained with several conversion arrangements are presented. The results reveal that conversion efficiency is typically greater than 90%, compared with theoretical ones. In addition, some arrangement is exploited for converting the fundamental Gaussian-beam distribution into the TEM01 mode distribution.
Machavariani
Galina
G
Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel. galina@wisemail.weizmann.ac.il
Ishaaya
Amiel A
AA
Shimshi
Liran
L
Davidson
Nir
N
Friesem
Asher A
AA
Hasman
Erez
E