Three-dimensional nonparaxial beams in parabolic rotational coordinates

Opt Lett. 2013 Oct 1;38(19):3934-6. doi: 10.1364/OL.38.003934.

Abstract

We introduce a class of three-dimensional nonparaxial optical beams found in a parabolic rotational coordinate system. These beams, representing exact solutions of the nonparaxial Helmholtz equation, have inherent parabolic symmetries. Assisted with a computer-generated holography, we experimentally demonstrate the generation of different modes of these beams. The observed transverse beam patterns along the propagation direction agree well with those from our theoretical predication.