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Suppressing turbulence-induced laser beam wandering by using an axicon
Optics Letters
|September 29, 2023
Summary
Air turbulence causes laser beam wandering, impacting optical applications. Using an axicon significantly suppresses this wandering, enhancing beam stability for free-space optical communications and LIDAR.
Area of Science:
- Optics
- Atmospheric Physics
Background:
- Laser beam wandering due to atmospheric turbulence affects optical systems.
- Applications like free-space optical communications, LIDAR, and remote air lasing require stable laser beams.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the impact of air turbulence on Gaussian laser beam wandering.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of an axicon in mitigating turbulence-induced beam wander.
Main Methods:
- Experimental investigation of laser beam propagation through a turbulent atmosphere.
- Comparison of beam wandering with and without an axicon as a focusing element.
Main Results:
- Air turbulence induces significant transverse wandering in a Gaussian laser beam.
- The use of an axicon dramatically suppresses turbulence-induced beam wandering.
- The mechanism behind the suppression of beam wander by the axicon was discussed.
Conclusions:
- Axicons are effective in stabilizing laser beams in turbulent atmospheres.
- This finding has significant implications for improving the reliability of various optical applications operating in atmospheric conditions.
