Focal patterns of sine-azimuthal wavefront-modulated cosh-Gaussian beams by half space phase plate

Abstract

The pure phase plate was introduced to alter the half-space phase value of the incident linearly polarized hyperolic-cosine-Gaussian (cosh-Gaussian) beams with sine-azimuthal variation wavefront, and focusing properties of the cosh-Gaussian beams by half space phase plate were investigated in detail. Simulation results show that focal pattern can be altered very considerably by the phase plate under condition of different beam parameters, numerical aperture, and phase parameter that indicates the phase change frequency on increasing azimuthal angle. Symmetry of the whole focal pattern can be altered remarkably, polysymmetrical focal patterns evolve into nonsymmetrical focal patterns. And some novel focal shape may appear, including cross-shape, multiple-peak focal pattern, multiple intensity lines, wheel focal pattern, swallowtail focal pattern, and dark hollow focal spots.