Propagation-invariant space-time caustics of light
Caustics are responsible for a wide range of natural phenomena, from rainbows and mirages to sparkling seas. Here, we present caustics in space-time wavepackets, a class of pulsed beams featuring strong coupling between spatial and temporal frequencies. Space-time wavepackets have attracted much att...
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
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2021
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/153406 |
| _version_ | 1811684204925157376 |
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| author | Wong, Liang Jie |
| author2 | School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering |
| author_facet | School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Wong, Liang Jie |
| author_sort | Wong, Liang Jie |
| collection | NTU |
| description | Caustics are responsible for a wide range of natural phenomena, from rainbows and mirages to sparkling seas. Here, we present caustics in space-time wavepackets, a class of pulsed beams featuring strong coupling between spatial and temporal frequencies. Space-time wavepackets have attracted much attention with their propagation-invariant intensity profiles that travel at tunable superluminal and subluminal group velocities. These intensity profiles, however, have been largely restricted to an X-shape or similar pattern. We show that space-time caustics combine the propagation invariance of space-time wavepackets with the flexible design of caustics, allowing for customizable intensity patterns in space-time wavepackets. Our method directly provides the phase distribution needed to realize user-designed caustic patterns in space-time wavepackets. We show that space-time caustics can feature in a broad range of intriguing optical phenomena, including backward traveling caustics formed from purely forward propagating waves, and nondiffracting beams that evolve with time. Our findings should open the doors to an even wider range of structured light with spatiotemporal coupling. |
| first_indexed | 2024-10-01T04:24:55Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | ntu-10356/153406 |
| institution | Nanyang Technological University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-10-01T04:24:55Z |
| publishDate | 2021 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | ntu-10356/1534062024-03-27T04:45:26Z Propagation-invariant space-time caustics of light Wong, Liang Jie School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering Waveshaping Caustics Optics Photonics Wavepackets Caustics are responsible for a wide range of natural phenomena, from rainbows and mirages to sparkling seas. Here, we present caustics in space-time wavepackets, a class of pulsed beams featuring strong coupling between spatial and temporal frequencies. Space-time wavepackets have attracted much attention with their propagation-invariant intensity profiles that travel at tunable superluminal and subluminal group velocities. These intensity profiles, however, have been largely restricted to an X-shape or similar pattern. We show that space-time caustics combine the propagation invariance of space-time wavepackets with the flexible design of caustics, allowing for customizable intensity patterns in space-time wavepackets. Our method directly provides the phase distribution needed to realize user-designed caustic patterns in space-time wavepackets. We show that space-time caustics can feature in a broad range of intriguing optical phenomena, including backward traveling caustics formed from purely forward propagating waves, and nondiffracting beams that evolve with time. Our findings should open the doors to an even wider range of structured light with spatiotemporal coupling. Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Nanyang Technological University Published version This work was supported by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Science & Engineering Research Council (Grant No. A1984c0043), and the Nanyang Assistant Professorship Start-up grant. 2021-12-27T08:41:29Z 2021-12-27T08:41:29Z 2021 Journal Article Wong, L. J. (2021). Propagation-invariant space-time caustics of light. Optics Express, 29(19), 30682-30693. https://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.432798 1094-4087 https://hdl.handle.net/10356/153406 10.1364/OE.432798 34614789 2-s2.0-85114836654 19 29 30682 30693 en A1984c0043 Optics Express 10.21979/N9/67HZP1 © 2021 Optical Society of America. Users may use, reuse, and build upon the article, or use the article for text or data mining, so long as such uses are for non-commercial purposes and appropriate attribution is maintained. All other rights are reserved. application/pdf |
| spellingShingle | Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering Waveshaping Caustics Optics Photonics Wavepackets Wong, Liang Jie Propagation-invariant space-time caustics of light |
| title | Propagation-invariant space-time caustics of light |
| title_full | Propagation-invariant space-time caustics of light |
| title_fullStr | Propagation-invariant space-time caustics of light |
| title_full_unstemmed | Propagation-invariant space-time caustics of light |
| title_short | Propagation-invariant space-time caustics of light |
| title_sort | propagation invariant space time caustics of light |
| topic | Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering Waveshaping Caustics Optics Photonics Wavepackets |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/153406 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT wongliangjie propagationinvariantspacetimecausticsoflight |