The formation of Bessel light beams at large distances from annular fields

Abstract

In this work, the process of transformation of an annular beam in a Bessel-like field due to diffraction during propagation in a free space over long distances and due to the focusing effect is investigated. A number of models of annular fields are considered, including an analytical model in the form of a polynomial function in a bounded region of space, as well as an experimentally implemented model based on a scheme with two axicons. A comparison is made of the transverse and longitudinal intensity distributions for these models, and a high degree of stability of the structure of the longitudinal distribution of the axial intensity to a change in the model of the annular field is found. This distribution is characterized by the presence of an intense maximum with an asymmetric profile, the appearance of which is not connected with lens focusing. In the initial region of the pointed maximum, the process of formation of a Bessel beam from an annular beam arises, and a sharp increase in intensity takes place. It is also established that the focusing of an annular field at large distances essentially differs from focusing at short distances. In the case of large distances, the increase of the axial intensity does not take place in the vicinity of the focal plane, but much closer to the transmitter, and here the great increase of intensity caused by direct focusing is not identified. The transverse profile of a Bessel-like beam is calculated at large distances. It is shown that this profile is characterized by a small number of lateral rings, and the axial maximum and the first ring contain more than 90% of the light power. The problem of generation of a model annular field by a Fourier-type resonator with a special transparency mirror is considered.