Characterization and modelling of the hollow beam produced by a real conical lens

The properties of the hollow beam produced by a conical lens are studied in detail. In particular, the impact of a rounded vertex is examined. It is shown that it could lead to drastic changes in the transverse distribution of the hollow beam, determined by the ratio between the transverse size of the incident beam and the size of the blunt area. An adequate choice for this ratio allows us to either minimize the losses or optimize the distribution symmetry. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.