Two dimensional gradient-index beam shapers fabricated using ultrafast laser inscription

In this paper gradient-index beam shapers are fabricated using the ultrafast laser inscription method. This method enables the fabrication of two-dimensional refractive index profiles inside silica glass, resulting in highly robust and compact beam shapers. The magnitude of this refractive index change can be tailored by adjusting the laser pulse energy, enabling arbitrary two-dimensional refractive index profiles to be manufactured. The process is then demonstrated by fabricating planar waveguides with quadratic index profiles that predictably resize Gaussian beams. Then a more complex two-dimensional refractive index profile is fabricated to transform an input Gaussian beam into a super-Gaussian (flat-top) beam.(c) 2022 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

In this paper, gradient-index beam shapers are fabricated using the ultrafast laser inscription method. By adjusting the laser pulse energy, arbitrary two-dimensional refractive index profiles can be manufactured, resulting in highly robust and compact beam shapers. Planar waveguides with quadratic index profiles and a more complex two-dimensional refractive index profile are demonstrated to resize Gaussian beams predictably and transform them into super-Gaussian (flat-top) beams.