Demonstration of a Fresnel axicon

Journal Article · Thu Jan 20 00:00:00 EST 2011 · Applied Optics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.50.000303· OSTI ID:22036568

Gourley, Kevin; Golub, Ilya; Chebbi, Brahim

We design and manufacture a Fresnel axicon (fraxicon) that generates a quasi-diffraction-free/Bessel beam with a large depth of field. The novel optical element is characterized with both coherent and incoherent light, and its behavior is compared with that of a classical axicon. While the fraxicon exhibits a strong interference pattern in the on-axis intensity distribution, it can be smoothed out when using broadband light, partial spatial coherence light, or by period randomization. As inexpensive, compact/lightweight, and low-absorption elements, fraxicons may find applications in imaging, illumination, and situations where low absorption and dispersion are important.

• OSTI ID: 22036568
• Journal Information: Applied Optics, Vol. 50, Issue 3; Other Information: (c) 2011 Optical Society of America; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6935
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABSORPTION
BEAMS
COHERENT RADIATION
DESIGN
DIFFRACTION
DISPERSIONS
DISTRIBUTION
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
ILLUMINANCE
INTERFERENCE
OPTICAL EQUIPMENT
VISIBLE RADIATION