Switchable optical ring lattice in free space.

Abstract

Optical lattices with spatially regular structures have recently attracted considerable attention across physics and optics communities. In particular, due to the increasing emergence of new structured light fields, diverse lattices with rich topology are being generated via multi-beam interference. Here, we report a specific ring lattice with radial lobe structures generated via superposition of two ring Airy vortex beams (RAVBs). We show that the lattice morphology evolves upon propagation in free space, switching from a bright-ring lattice to dark-ring lattice and even to fascinating multilayer texture. This underlying physical mechanism is related to the variation of the unique intermodal phase between the RAVBs as well as topological energy flow with symmetry breaking. Our finds provide an approach for engineering customized ring lattices to inspire a wide variety of new applications.