Propagating dimensions of light: Deforming versatile non-diffractive beams along the optical trajectory

Phys.org  April 8, 2024
Despite the numerous types of non-diffraction beam generation technologies, the 3D deformation and intricate wavefront shaping of structures during propagation have yet to be studied through the lens of nanophotonic devices. An international team of researchers (Singapore, Spain) demonstrated the dynamic conversion of a circular Airy beam (CAB) to a Bessel beam with a single-layer spin-selective metasurface. The spatial transformation developed from the interplay of 1D local and 2D global phases, facilitating the 3D control of non-diffractive light fields. Overall phase gradient and orbital angular momentum altered the propagation direction and transverse fields of complex amplitude beams along the optical path. The samples exhibited superior defect resistance. According to the researchers their approach expanded the in-plane spin-selective mechanism and leveraged the out-of-plane propagation dimension, facilitating integrated high-resolution imaging, on-chip optical micromanipulation, and micro/nanofabrication within a versatile nanophotonic platform… read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE 

a) schematic illustration of AFCA (top) and ADCA (bottom)… Credit: Laser & Photonics Reviews, 20 March 2024