Parametric control of a diffractive axicon beam rider

A laser beam rider is a large-scale optical structure designed so that it is attracted toward the optical axis, while also affording forward propulsion via radiation pressure along the beam path. Such structures form the basis of laser-driven light sails. Experimental measurements are described whereby a thin diffractive axicon film is shown to exhibit a natural restoring force when its axis is displaced from the optical axis. This effect is attributed to the optical momentum change of diffracted light. Whereas continuous illumination supports harmonic motion, modulated illumination is shown to support both parametric gain and parametric damping. The 12.7µm period photopolymer axicon grating was suspended in a vacuum torsion oscillator and irradiated with a 1.5 W near-infrared laser modulated at a period of 38 s.