title: Efficient mode transformations of degenerate Laguerre-Gaussian beams.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel. galina@wisemail.weizmann.ac.il
authors.forename: Galina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Machavariani
authors.forename: Amiel A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ishaaya
authors.forename: Liran
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shimshi
authors.forename: Nir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Asher A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Friesem
authors.forename: Erez
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hasman