Generation of a family of Pearcey beams based on Fresnel diffraction catastrophes. (4th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhijun, Ren; Chaofu, Ying; Hongzhen, Jin; Bo, Chen
• Is Part Of: Journal of optics. Volume 17:Number 10(2015:Oct.)
• Publication Date: 2015-09-04
• Subjects: Pearcey beams -- evolute -- diffraction -- cusp -- caustic -- optical structure; 42.25.Bs -- 42.25.Fx -- 42.60.Jf -- 42.68.Ay; Optics -- Periodicals; 535.05
• DOI: 10.1088/2040-8978/17/10/105608
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-8978

Abstract

Abstract: Based on the theory of differential geometry and Fresnel diffraction catastrophes, we theoretically prove that the cusped caustic of Pearcey beams are the evolute of a parabola and thus identify the key factor determining the optical structure of Pearcey beams. We numerically simulate and experimentally generate a family of Pearcey beams with various optical topological structures using different parabolas. We then investigate their optical structures and propagation properties.