Generation of nonparaxial accelerating fields through mirrors. I: two dimensions

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Wave Propagation

Background:

• Accelerating beams are optical wave packets that maintain their shape during propagation, even along curved trajectories.
• Existing nonparaxial accelerating beams are limited to semicircular paths, restricting their applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a ray-based analysis for two-dimensional nonparaxial accelerating fields and pulses.
• To develop a geometric method for generating accelerating beams that trace extended circular paths.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a ray-based analysis to understand the behavior of nonparaxial accelerating fields.
• Developed a geometric procedure for designing mirror shapes to transform input fields into desired accelerating beams.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a method for creating nonparaxial accelerating beams that extend well beyond a semicircle.
• Showcased the ability to convert collimated or point-source fields into these extended accelerating beams using designed mirrors.

Conclusions:

• The proposed ray-based analysis and geometric procedure enable the creation of novel nonparaxial accelerating beams with extended circular trajectories.
• This advancement offers new possibilities for optical manipulation and applications requiring long, curved beam paths.