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Diffraction-free space–time light sheets

Nature Photonics volume 11, pages 733–740 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

Diffraction-free optical beams propagate freely without change in shape and scale. Monochromatic beams that avoid diffractive spreading require two-dimensional transverse profiles and there are no corresponding solutions for profiles restricted to one transverse dimension. Here, we demonstrate that the temporal degree of freedom can be exploited to efficiently synthesize one-dimensional pulsed light sheets that propagate self-similarly in free space, with no need for nonlinearity or dispersion. By introducing programmable conical (hyperbolic, parabolic or elliptical) spectral correlations between the beam’s spatiotemporal degrees of freedom, a continuum of families of propagation-invariant light sheets is generated. The spectral loci of such beams are the reduced-dimensionality trajectories at the intersection of the light-cone with spatiotemporal spectral planes. Far from being exceptional, self-similar axial-propagation in free space is a generic feature of fields whose spatial and temporal degrees of freedom are tightly correlated. These ‘space–time’ light sheets can be useful in microscopy, nonlinear spectroscopy, and non-contact measurements.

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Fig. 1: Concept of a diffraction-free ST light sheet.
Fig. 2: Synthesis and analysis of diffraction-free ST light sheets.
Fig. 3: Spatiotemporal spectral control of ST light sheets.
Fig. 4: Propagation of diffraction-free ST light sheets.
Fig. 5: Diffraction-free ST hollow light sheet.
Fig. 6: Spatiotemporal analysis of diffraction-free ST light sheets.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank D.N. Christodoulides, A. Keles and R. Menon for discussions. This work was supported by the US Office of Naval Research (ONR) under contract N00014-17-1-2458.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CREOL, The College of Optics & Photonics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA

    H. Esat Kondakci & Ayman F. Abouraddy

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Contributions

H.E.K. and A.F.A developed the theoretical and experimental framework for this work. H.E.K. carried out the measurements. Both authors analysed the results and wrote the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ayman F. Abouraddy.

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Kondakci, H.E., Abouraddy, A.F. Diffraction-free space–time light sheets. Nature Photon 11, 733–740 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-017-0028-9

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