Abstract

Helical gas lenses incorporate four coaxial helices at temperatures +T, −T, +T, and −T, respectively. Because of the resulting change in refractive index of the gas filling the space inside the helices, optical beams can be guided by this system over long distances. A general expression for the modes of propagation is given; it involves Hermite polynomials in two complex variables. For small temperature differences the mode fields reduce to Laguerre-Gauss functions. Calculated irradiance patterns are shown for various mode numbers and various values of T.

© 1972 Optical Society of America

Geometric Optics of Thermal Blooming in Gases. Part 1

P. V. Avizonis, C. B. Hogge, R. R. Butts, and J. R. Kenemuth
Appl. Opt. 11(3) 554-564 (1972)

Structure and scaling of helical modes of light

Steven Sundbeck, Ilya Gruzberg, and David G. Grier
Opt. Lett. 30(5) 477-479 (2005)

Parametric Study of Apertured Focused Gaussian Beams

D. A. Holmes, J. E. Korka, and P. V. Avizonis
Appl. Opt. 11(3) 565-574 (1972)

Mutual Coherence Function of a Finite Cross Section Optical Beam Propagating in a Turbulent Medium

H. T. Yura
Appl. Opt. 11(6) 1399-1406 (1972)

Mode Selectivity and Mirror Misalignment Effects in Unstable Laser Resonators

Arthur N. Chester
Appl. Opt. 11(11) 2584-2590 (1972)