Efficient Beam Converter for the Generation of Femtosecond Vortices

Abstract

We describe an optical beam converter for an efficient transformation of Gaussian femtosecond laser beams to single- or double-charge vortex beams showing no spatial or topological charge dispersion. The device achieves a conversion efficiency of 75% for single- and 50% for double-charge vortex beams and can operate with high energy broad bandwidth pulses. We also show that the topological charge of a femtosecond vortex beam can be determined by analyzing its intensity distribution in the focal area of a cylindrical lens.

arXiv comment9 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Optics Letters 10 March 2010

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