Propagation of higher-order cosh-Gaussian beams in uniaxial crystals orthogonal to the optical axis

Abstract

Propagation properties of higher-order cosh-Gaussian (HOCG) beams in uniaxial crystals orthogonal to the optical axis are studied. Analytical formulae for electric fields and kurtosis parameters are derived. Results show that a HOCG beam with larger acentric parameters or beam orders would better preserve its intensity profile when it propagates in uniaxial crystals. At arbitrary propagation distance flat-topped beams can be shaped by selecting appropriate acentric parameters. It is also indicated that kurtosis parameters τ x and τ y both increase when acentric parameters take larger values, however, they show different behaviors due to effects of anisotropic crystals.