Conical diffraction and Bessel beam formation with a high optical quality biaxial crystal

The manipulation of a Gaussian laser beam using conical diffraction in a high optical quality biaxial crystal of KGd(WO(4))(2) has been examined in detail with emphasis on the experimental techniques involved and intuitive explanations of the notable features. Two different optical arrangements were used to form the Pogendorff double-ring light pattern in the focal image plane. The formation of both diverging and non-diverging zeroth and first order Bessel beams was investigated. The various intensity distributions and polarization properties were measured and compared with the predictions of well-established theory.