High-efficiency arrays of any desired optical beams using modified grating-based elements

Abstract

High efficiency grating-based diffractive elements were previously proposed in order to generate desired arrays of various optical beams. The elements enable us to generate a diversity of arrays of optical beams in desired shapes, so that the arrays produced by the method are homogeneous, uniform and lacking of unwanted higher diffraction orders. In this technique a modulated grating is used to restructure Fresnel zone plate or zone plate-based elements to get modified grating-based elements. To examine the method, a variety of rectangular arrays of optical spots and annular beams are created by the ordinary and modified elements. It is shown that the arrays generated by the modified elements are much more uniform than the same arrays produced by the ordinary ones. In addition to the uniformity of the arrays, the unwanted higher diffraction orders are also totally eliminated. This article exploits simulation and experimental studies in order to demonstrate the functionality of the proposed technique as a multi functional high-efficiency beam shaping.