title: Accurate and practical method for characterizing Laguerre-Gaussian modes.
abstract: We propose a new parameter, Q(p,l)(2), based on cross-sectional intensity distribution to distinguish Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams. Theoretically, Q(p,l)(2) shows an approximately linear dependence on the topological index in higher LG modes. Compared with the similar parameter Q(p,l) proposed by Long et al. [Opt. Lett.38, 3047 (2013)] recently, our experimental result demonstrates that the approximate linearity of Q(p,l)(2) brings out the advantage in characterizing higher topological indices. In addition, as more intensity data is used in calculating Q(p,l)(2), the experimental error is diminished naturally. Thus, Q(p,l)(2) can be used to easily and accurately characterize LG modes.
authors.forename: Zhenlin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Di
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Junling
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Ziwei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ruifeng
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Pei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Fuli
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li