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Correction of vortex laser beam in a closed-loop adaptive system with bimorph mirror
F A Starikov1, G G Kochemasov, M O Koltygin
1Russian Federal Nuclear Center-VNIIEF, Mira Avenue 37, Sarov, N. Novgorod Region, Russia. starikov@otd13.vniief.ru
Optics Letters
|August 4, 2009
Summary
Adaptive optics corrected vortex laser beams, enhancing focus quality and optical resolution. However, imperfections in phase correction led to unwanted off-axis vortices in the beam periphery.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Adaptive Optics
- Laser Physics
Background:
- Vortex laser beams possess unique phase structures.
- Phase aberrations degrade the quality and focusability of vortex beams.
- Adaptive optics systems offer a solution for wavefront correction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and evaluate a closed-loop adaptive optics system for phase correction of vortex laser beams.
- To investigate the impact of phase correction on the focused intensity profile and optical resolution.
- To identify and analyze artifacts introduced by the adaptive correction process.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a closed-loop adaptive system incorporating a Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor.
- Employed a singular reconstruction technique for wavefront analysis.
- Used a bimorph piezoceramic mirror for dynamic phase correction.
- Focused the corrected vortex beam and analyzed the resulting intensity distribution.
Main Results:
- Successfully corrected the phase of the vortex laser beam.
- Achieved focusing into a beam with a bright axial spot, improving Strehl ratio and resolution.
- Observed the appearance of off-axis vortices in the far field due to limitations in phase reproduction on the mirror surface.
Conclusions:
- Closed-loop adaptive optics effectively corrects vortex beam phase, enhancing focal properties.
- The system significantly improves Strehl ratio and optical resolution.
- Limitations in deformable mirror surface replication can lead to residual phase errors and artifacts like off-axis vortices.
