Focusing properties of Gaussian beam with superimposed left-handed and right-handed helical phase fronts

Abstract

Vector diffraction theory is employed to investigate the focusing properties of the Gaussian beams with superimposed left-handed and right-handed helical phase fronts theoretically. Numerical simulations show that the intensity distribution in focal region can be altered considerably by adjusting topological charge m corresponding to right-handed helix and topological charge n corresponding to left-handed helix. Many novel focal pattern may occur. It was shown that the focal pattern evolves from one intensity peak to multiple intensity peaks with changing the topological charge m and n, and all the intensity peaks form in a circle. As the number of intensity peaks is the sum of m and n, the focal pattern can be controlled through adjusting the topological charge m and n. And in order to show the possible applications of these alterable foci pattern, some optical gradient force distributions were also calculated and illuminated.