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Partially coherent conical refraction promises new counter-intuitive phenomena
V Yu Mylnikov1, V V Dudelev2, E U Rafailov3
1Ioffe Institute, 26 Polytechnicheskaya Str., St. Petersburg, 194021, Russia. Vm@mail.ioffe.ru.
Scientific Reports
|October 7, 2022
Summary
This study simplifies conical refraction theory for partially coherent light, enabling analytical predictions of new phenomena like ring narrowing and Raman spot shifts. The findings bridge classical and low-coherence optics for broader applications.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Quantum Optics
- Wave Phenomena
Background:
- Conical refraction is a unique optical phenomenon observed in biaxial crystals.
- Previous models primarily focused on coherent light sources.
- Understanding partially coherent light propagation is crucial for advanced optical systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend the paraxial conical refraction model to partially coherent light.
- To simplify the rigorous theory of conical refraction.
- To analytically derive intensity distributions and predict new phenomena.
Main Methods:
- Unified optical coherence theory application.
- Decomposition of correlation functions into coherent modes.
- Reformulation of conical refraction theory for random phase fields.
Main Results:
- Analytical derivation of conical refraction intensity in focal and far fields.
- Prediction of phenomena: ring width narrowing, Poggendorff's ring disappearance, Raman spot shifts.
- Demonstration of power-law dependence for coherence degree and diffraction-free propagation.
Conclusions:
- The simplified model accurately explains and predicts conical refraction phenomena for partially coherent light.
- New insights into light propagation through conical refraction crystals are provided.
- The study offers a unified approach for both coherent and partially coherent conical refraction.
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