Propagation characteristics and characterization challenges of complex laser field distributions

Y. G. Soskind

doi:10.1117/12.2217526

16 March 2016 Propagation characteristics and characterization challenges of complex laser field distributions

Y. G. Soskind

Proceedings Volume 9754, Photonic Instrumentation Engineering III; 97540M (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2217526
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2016, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

The paper presents the propagation characteristics of several complex laser field distributions. It also outlines the challenges associated with characterizing laser fields based on their M² parameter. To alleviate the challenges, we introduce a new beam characterization technique for defining the propagation characteristics of arbitrary laser beams. The new technique is based on calculating laser beam propagation characteristics as a function of the field’s lateral coordinates, and provides a quantitative way of accounting for the fractional beam power diffracted outside of the beam central node. The technique, called FM² (FM-squared), accounts for the spatial evolution of the M² beam quality parameter. It provides insights into the beam quality of laser beams, including the quality of laser beams affected by diffraction or by wavefront distortions, as well as the complex field distributions resulting from a coherent superposition of the individual beams contained within optical phased arrays.

Citation Download Citation

Y. G. Soskind "Propagation characteristics and characterization challenges of complex laser field distributions", Proc. SPIE 9754, Photonic Instrumentation Engineering III, 97540M (16 March 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2217526

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