Padgett, M. , Arlt, J., Simpson, N. and Allen, L. (1996) An Experiment To Observe The Intensity And Phase Structure Of Laguerre-Gaussian Laser Modes. American Journal of Physics, 64(1), pp. 77-82.
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Abstract
We outline an easily reproduced experiment that allows the student to investigate the intensity and phase structure of transverse laser modes. In addition to discussing the usual Hermite-Gaussian laser modes we detail how Laguerre-Gaussian laser modes can be obtained by the direct conversion of the Hermite-Gaussian output. A Mach-Zehnder interferometer allows the phase structure of the Laguerre-Gaussian modes to be compared with the phase structure of a plane wave with the same frequency. The resulting interference patterns clearly illustrate the azimuthal phase dependence of the Laguerre-Gaussian modes, which is the origin of the orbital angular momentum associated with each of them.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Padgett, Professor Miles |
| Authors: | Padgett, M., Arlt, J., Simpson, N., and Allen, L. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy |
| Journal Name: | American Journal of Physics |
| Journal Abbr.: | Am. J. Phys. |
| ISSN: | 0002-9505 |
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