Propagation of a centrosymmetric optical vortex beam through a paraxial ABCD system with an axicon.

ABSTRACT

Recently, a new form of laser beam, called the "centrosymmetric optical vortex" (CSOV), has been proposed. We employ the modified calculation method for studying the propagation of the CSOV beam, which is constructed via four canonical optical vortices with different topological charges. The speed of calculation is more convenient and faster than the usual means by using the diffraction integral directly. With a modified calculation method, the propagation properties of the CSOV in free space are illustrated and analyzed using numerical examples. Several parameters influencing the CSOV beams and the ABCD optical system are discussed in detail. Our experimental results are consistent with theoretical predictions. Furthermore, the orbital angular momentum states and density are also studied. The research results are expected to provide a basis for the application of CSOV beams in beam reshaping, optical trapping, and rotating microparticle manipulation, particularly in separating cells.