Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
08:39
Shaping the Amplitude and Phase of Laser Beams by Using a Phase-only Spatial Light Modulator
Published on: January 28, 2019
Rotational transformations and transverse energy flow in paraxial light beams: linear azimuthons
Aleksandr Bekshaev1, Marat Soskin
1I. I. Mechnikov National University, Odessa, Ukraine. alec@paco.net
Optics Letters
|June 24, 2006
Summary
Linear spiral beams, analogous to nonlinear azimuthons, exhibit unique rotating transverse structures. Their rotation rate is independent of angular momentum, suggesting novel fluid dynamics analogies.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Nonlinear Dynamics
Background:
- Recent discovery of nonlinear azimuthons in nonlinear media.
- Spiral beams exhibit transverse structure rotation upon propagation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore linear analogs of nonlinear azimuthons.
- To characterize the properties of these linear spiral beams.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of paraxial beams.
- Investigation of beam propagation dynamics.
Main Results:
- Identified linear spiral beams as analogs of nonlinear azimuthons.
- Demonstrated nonlocalized character and arbitrary rotation rates independent of angular momentum.
- Established an analogy to fluent mechanical bodies with intrinsic mass flows.
Conclusions:
- Linear spiral beams offer a tractable model for studying azimuthon-like phenomena.
- The concept of transverse energy redistribution provides a mechanical analogy for beam dynamics.
Related Concept Videos
01:05Relating Angular And Linear Quantities - II
In the case of circular motion, the linear tangential speed of a particle at a radius from the axis of rotation is related to the angular velocity by the relation:
01:09Relating Angular And Linear Quantities - I
If the rotational definitions are compared with the definitions of linear kinematic variables from motion along a straight line and motion in two and three dimensions, we can observe a mapping of the linear variables to the rotational ones.
When comparing the linear and rotational variables individually, the linear variable of position has physical units of meters, whereas the angular position variable has dimensionless units of radians, as it is the ratio of two lengths. The linear velocity...
When comparing the linear and rotational variables individually, the linear variable of position has physical units of meters, whereas the angular position variable has dimensionless units of radians, as it is the ratio of two lengths. The linear velocity...
01:26Rotational Motion about a Fixed Axis
A rigid body's rotation around a fixed axis makes every point within it trace a circular path around a specific line or point. The term given to this type of spinning is defined by the angular position, symbolized by the angle θ. This angle is gauged from a static reference line to the revolving object. From this angular position, any variation is referred to as angular displacement, denoted by dθ. The extent of this displacement can be calculated in degrees, radians, or revolutions, where one...
01:18Equation of Motion: Rotation About a Fixed Axis
Consider a flywheel, having an uneven mass distribution, rotating steadily around a fixed axis. As this rotation occurs, the center of mass of the flywheel traces a circular path. Understanding the acceleration of this center of mass requires observing both its tangential and normal components.
The tangential component is dependent on the direction of the angular acceleration of the flywheel. The tangential component of the acceleration propels the flywheel along its path. On the other hand,...
The tangential component is dependent on the direction of the angular acceleration of the flywheel. The tangential component of the acceleration propels the flywheel along its path. On the other hand,...
01:10Deformation in a Circular Shaft
One of the distinctive characteristics of circular shafts is their ability to maintain their cross-sectional integrity under torsion. In other words, each cross-section continues to exist as a flat, unaltered entity, simply rotating like a solid, rigid slab. To understand the distribution of shearing stress within such a shaft, consider a cylindrical section inside this circular shaft. This section has a length of L and a radius of R, with one end fixed. The radius of the cylindrical section is...
01:10Angular Momentum: Single Particle
Angular momentum is directed perpendicular to the plane of the rotation, and its magnitude depends on the choice of the origin. The perpendicular vector joining the linear momentum vector of an object to the origin is called the “lever arm.” If the lever arm and linear momentum are collinear, then the magnitude of the angular momentum is zero. Therefore, in this case, the object rotates about the origin such that it lies on the rim of the circumference defined by the lever arm magnitude.
The...
The...