The formation and propagation of Mathieu–Gauss type spatial structures on diffraction of a multi segment-shaped laser beam

Abstract

We studied the field structure and 3-D propagation on diffraction of a multi circular segment-shaped laser beam. Diffraction of a laser beam with the shape of the multi circular segments (two, four and six) was investigated. We have observed for the first time the Mathieu–Gauss (MG)-like spatial modes formation and its propagation in the slow-expansion mode. The fundamental difference between diffraction of the multi-segments’ laser beams from the well-known MG beams is the large propagation distance (meters) in the slow-expansion mode without using a focusing lens.