Dynamics of shape-invariant rotating beams in linear media with harmonic potentials

Abstract

We introduce a type of shape-invariant rotating beam in linear media with harmonic potentials. This type of beam is constructed by superposing a series of properly selected Laguerre-Gaussian beams of different orders. During propagation, the beam is shape invariant, but the pattern rotates and its size varies periodically. The transverse position of the beam at the exit plane of a medium can be steered by tuning the input parameters, even if the transverse position at the entrance plane is fixed.