On some properties of axicons

Abstract

The radial and axial pump power distribution in the line focus of a cone (as simplest example of an axicon) is discussed. It is also shown that four conical surfaces covered with antireflection coatings can make an efficient polarizer for radial and tangential polarization of a light beam. Glass cones can be used as efficient pump optics for laser-pumped lasers. The advantages of the novel pumping scheme are discussed in detail for the cases of dye-laser and x-ray laser pumping.