Combined half-integer Bessel-like beams: A set of solutions of the wave equation

Abstract

We report a family of solutions of the homogeneous free-space scalar wave equation. These solutions are determined by linear combinations of the half-integer order Bessel functions. We call these beams ``combined half-integer Bessel-like beams.'' It is shown that, by selecting suitable combinations of the half-integer order Bessel functions, a wide set of beams can be produced in which they may carry the orbital angular momentum (OAM) or not. We show that this family of beams satisfies a ``radial structured'' boundary condition at $z=0$ plane, therefore they can be produced by the diffraction of a plane wave from suitable ``radial structures.'' Some specific examples of the half-integer Bessel-like beams are introduced. Especially, a set of spatially asymmetric beams, having half-integer OAM, is introduced that can be used to make the concentration of the absorbing and dielectric micro- or nanoparticles in a microsolution inhomogeneous. Also, by manipulating the Fourier series of the radial structures, three subfamily of beams can be produced including the radial carpet, petallike, and ringlike vortex beams. The intensity profile of the petallike beams forms two dimensional optical latices with polar symmetry at the transverse plane. The ringlike vortex beams carry OAM. Here, by solving the wave equation we present the full image of the radial carpet beams. All the presented beams have nondiffracting, accelerating, and self-healing features. The combined half-integer Bessel-like beams can be considered in other areas of wave phenomena, ranging from sound and elastic waves to many other kinds of classical waves. Therefore, this work has profound implications in many linear wave systems in nature.