Structured Light by linking together diffraction-resistant spatially shaped beams: "LEGO-BEAMS"

Abstract

In this paper we present a theoretical method, together with its experimental confirmation, to obtain structures of light by connecting diffraction-resistant cylindrical beams of finite lengths and different radii. The resulting "Lego-beams" can assume, on demand, various unprecedented spatial configurations. We also experimentally generate some of them on using a computational holographic technique and a spatial light modulator. Our new, interesting method of linking together various "pieces of light" can find applications in all fields where structured light beams are needed: in particular, such as optical tweezers, e.g. for biological manipulations, optical guiding of atoms, light orbital angular momentum control, holography, lithography, non-linear-optics, interaction of electromagnetic radiation with Bose-Einstein condensates, and so on, besides the field in general of Localized Waves (non-diffracting beams and pulses).

20 pages with 6 Figures. Paper submitted for pub. In this Second Version more attention is paid to the applications, and more references are added. Suitable, related modifications are inserted (even in the Abstract)