Open AccessPropagation characteristics of Airy beams: dependence upon spatial coherence and wavelength
Author(s) -
James Harry Morris,
Michaël Mazilu,
Jörg Baumgartl,
Tomáš Čižmár,
Kishan Dholakia
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.17.013236
Subject(s) - optics , wavelength , physics , coherence length , coherence (philosophical gambling strategy) , beam (structure) , spatial coherence , light beam , deflection (physics) , beam diameter , laser beams , laser , superconductivity , quantum mechanics
We generate a broadband "white light" Airy beam and characterize the dependence of the beam properties on wavelength. Experimental results are presented showing that the beam's deflection coefficient and its characteristic length are wavelength dependent. In contrast the aperture coefficient is not wavelength dependent. However, this coefficient depends on the spatial coherence of the beam. We model this behaviour theoretically by extending the Gaussian-Schell model to describe the effect of spatial coherence on the propagation of Airy beams. The experimental results are compared to the model and good agreement is observed.