We consider the promising properties of very simple Diffractive Optical Elements (DOE) for reshaping the intensity profile of a laser beam. The first type of DOE that we have considered is a phase aperture which consists in a transparent plate with a circular relief introducing a π phase shift in the central region of the incident beam. The phase aperture is able to convert a Gaussian beam into a super-Gaussian, a ring-shaped or a doughnut profile. The second DOE that has been considered is a phase step which is able to transform a TEM₀₀ beam into a TEM₁₀ or TEM₀₁ beam depending on its orientation. These beams have been used to generate radial polarization.

Date Published: 24 August 2009
PDF: 15 pages
Proc. SPIE 7430, Laser Beam Shaping X, 74300P (24 August 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.828143

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7430:
Laser Beam Shaping X
Andrew Forbes; Todd E. Lizotte, Editor(s)