Transformations of Guassian laser beams via conical diffraction : theory, experiment and applications

Abstract

The work reported in this thesis concerns the shaping of Gaussian laser beams using conical diffraction. Conical diffraction is the extension to wave optics of internal conical refraction, in which a ray of light incident along the optic axis of a biaxial crystal is converted into a hollow cone of light within the crystal and refracted into a hollow cylinder on exiting the crystal.