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This book explores the optical Hall effect in the sharp focus of laser light. It builds upon the established theory of Richards-Wolf (1959), providing numerous real-world examples that illustrate both spin and orbital Hall effects near the focal point. Within the focal zone, distinct regions of left and right circular polarization emerge, showcasing the orbital Hall effect. This effect becomes apparent when localized areas within the focal plane experience transverse energy flow, rotating either clockwise or counterclockwise. The spin Hall effect, a fundamental occurrence, is demonstrated when a linearly polarized Gaussian beam is concentrated. Furthermore, the book reveals spin and orbital Hall effects in light fields with nonuniform linear polarization, where the polarization direction varies within the beam cross section. While the optical or photonic Hall effect has been recognized since 2004, a comprehensive monograph detailing its focal dynamics has been lacking until now. Drawing from the cohesive theoretical framework of the Richards-Wolf theory, this book offers specific examples and results from computer modeling. It equips readers with analytical relations for calculating energy and spin fluxes near a sharp focus across various initial light vector fields. Designed for a diverse audience, including scientists, engineers, and students in optics and photonics, this book serves as a valuable resource. It caters to undergraduate and graduate students in applied mathematics, physics, informatics, and optics, and can also benefit researchers and professionals in the field. Moreover, the book holds potential as a foundational text for advanced graduate courses

This book is devoted to the consideration of unusual laser beams – vortex or singular beams. It contains many numerical examples, which clearly show how the phase of optical vortices changes during propagation in free space, and that the topological charge is preserved.Topological Charge of Optical Vortices shows that the topological charge of an optical vortex is equal to the number of screw dislocations or the number of phase singularities in the beam cross-section. A single approach is used for the entire book: based on M. Berry's formula. It is shown that phase singularities during beam propagation can be displaced to infinity at a speed greater than the speed of light. The uniqueness of the book is that the calculation of the topological charge for scalar light fields is extended to vector fields and is used to calculate the Poincare–Hopf singularity index for vector fields with inhomogeneous linear polarization with V-points and for the singularity index of vector fields with inhomogeneous elliptical polarization with C-points and C- lines.The book is written for opticians, and graduate students interested in an interesting section of optics – singular optics. It will also be of interest to scientists and researchers who are interested in modern optics. In order to understand the content of the book, it is enough to know paraxial optics (Fourier optics) and be able to calculate integrals.

This book explores new principles of Self-Initiating Volume Discharge for creating high-energy non-chain HF(DF) lasers, as well as the creation of highly efficient lasers with output energy and radiation power in the spectral region of 2.6–5 μm. Today, sources of high-power lasing in this spectral region are in demand in various fields of science and technology including remote sensing of the atmosphere, medicine, biological imaging, precision machining and other special applications. These applications require efficient laser sources with high pulse energy, pulsed and average power, which makes the development of physical fundamentals of high-power laser creation and laser complexes of crucial importance. High-Energy Ecologically Safe HF/DF Lasers: Physics of Self-Initiated Volume Discharge-Based HF/DF Lasers examines the conditions of formation of SSVD, gas composition and the mode of energy input into the gas on the efficiency and radiation energy of non-chain HF(DF) lasers. Key Features: Shares research results on SSVD in mixtures of non-chain HF(DF) lasers Studies the stability and dynamics of the development of SSVD Discusses the effect of the gas composition and geometry of the discharge gap (DG) on its characteristics Proposes recommendations for gas composition and for the method of obtaining SSVD in non-chain HF(DF) lasers Develops simple and reliable wide-aperture non-chain HF(DF) lasers and investigates their characteristics Investigates the possibilities of expanding the lasing spectrum of non-chain HF(DF) lasers

Readers will learn in which ways light can be'confined'within a subwavelength region smaller than half a wavelength. Strictly within the focal spot, all degrees of freedom of light interact and manifest themselves in a dramatic way. The size and shape of the focal spot and the magnitude of side-lobes depend on the polarization state alongside phase and amplitude distributions of a light beam.Readers will learn techniques in which inhomogeneously (i.e., azimuthally and radially) polarized optical beams can be focused. In sharp focus, exotic phenomena can occur, including the negative propagation of light and a toroidal optical flow.Throughout the book, the numerical simulation is performed using the rigorous solution of Maxwell's equations based on a Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) approach, which makes the results of modeling highly reliable. The photonic components, including optical metasurfaces, discussed in the book have been implemented using state-of-the-art techniques of electron beam writing and reactive ion-beam etching of microrelief.Two chapters are concerned with photonics hot spots, which deal with the control of light by means of optical metasurfaces and the generation of an energy backflow in the region of sharp focus of a laser beam.Another hot topic is diffractive polarization converters implemented as subwavelength diffraction gratings to convert polarization of light. By way of illustration, such converters are shown to perform linear-to-radial or linear-to-azimuthal polarization conversion.The book describes advanced photonic components fabricated by the authors to perform sharp focusing of light, including binary zone plates, binary axicons, a planar photonic crystal lens, diffraction polarization converters, and metalenses.This book is a must-have for individuals and institutions studying cutting edge optics.

This book deals with theoretical bases of the modern optics division concerned with coherent light fields with singularities characterized by phase uncertainty. Singular light fields include laser vortex beams or beams that carry orbital angular momentum. Laser vortex beams that have been introduced in optics in recent years are discussed in detail. Among them, of special notice are families of asymmetric laser vortex beams that, while being devoid of radial symmetry, remain unchanged upon propagation. What makes the laser vortex beams especially interesting is the ability to preserve their structure while propagating in a scattering medium or through a turbulent atmosphere. The orbital angular momentum is an extra degree of freedom of laser vortices because beams with different topological charge can be utilized as independent channels for data transmission in wireless communications. Laser vortex beams are generated from conventional Gaussian beams using liquid crystal light modulators, which are now readily available at any optical laboratory. Provide a framework for the comparative analysis of the efficiency of different vortex beams for micromanipulation. Includes detailed illustrations, enabling the vortex structure to be easily understood even by non-experts. Presents detailed descriptions of more than a dozen most popular types of vortex laser beams. Explores how optical vortices have been used in many practical applications including conventional and quantum wireless communications, micromanipulation, optical measurements with super-resolution, spiral interferometry, microscopy, and atom cooling. Presents in a systematic and detailed form many analytical and numerical results for the propagation vortex optical beams (chiefly in the linear propagation regime).

This book covers the basics, realization and materials for high power laser systems and high power radiation interaction with matter. The physical and technical fundamentals of high intensity laser optics and adaptive optics and the related physical processes in high intensity laser systems are explained. A main question discussed is: What is power optics? In what way is it different from ordinary optics widely used in cameras, motion-picture projectors, i.e., for everyday use? An undesirable consequence of the thermal deformation of optical elements and surfaces was discovered during studies of the interaction with powerful incident laser radiation. The requirements to the fabrication, performance and quality of optical elements employed within systems for most practical applications are also covered. The high-power laser performance is generally governed by the following: (i) the absorption of incident optical radiation (governed primarily by various absorption mechanisms), (ii) followed by a temperature increase and response governed primarily by thermal properties and (iii) the thermo-optical and thermo-mechanical response of distortion, stress, fracture, etc. All this needs to be understood to design efficient, compact, reliable and useful high power systems for many applications under a variety of operating conditions, pulsed, continuous wave and burst mode of varying duty cycles. The book gives an overview of an important spectrum of related topics like laser resonator configurations, intermetallic optical coatings, heat carriers for high power optics, cellular materials, high-repetition-rate lasers and mono-module disk lasers for high power optics.

This monograph deals with diverse applications of holographic interferome­ try in experimental solid mechanics. Holographic interferometry has experienced a development of twenty years. It has enjoyed success and suffered some disappointments mainly due to early overestimation of its potential. At present, development of holo­ graphic interferometry is progressing primarily as a technique for quantita­ tive measurements. This is what motivated us to write this book - to ana­ lyze the quantitative methods of holographic interferometry. The fringe patterns obtained in holographic interferometry are graphi­ cally descriptive. In the general case, however, because they contain infor­ mation on the total vectors of displacement for points on the surface of a stressed body, the interpretation of these interferograms is much more complicated than in typical conventional interferometry. In addition, the high sensitivity of the method imposes new requirements on the loading of the objects understudy. New approaches to designing loading fixtures are needed in many cases to ensure the desired loading conditions. The wealth of information obtained in holographic interferometry necessitates the use of modern computational mathematics. Therefore, practical implementation of the various methods of holographic interferometry must overcome sub­ stantial difficulties requiring adequate knowledge in diverse areas of science such as coherent optics, laser technology, mechanics, and applied mathe­ matics. Experimental methods play a significant role in solid mechanics.

Hierarchic Electrodynamics and Free Electron Lasers: Concepts, Calculations, and Practical Applications presents intriguing new fundamental concepts in the phenomenon of hierarchical electrodynamics as a new direction in physics. Concentrating on the key theory of hierarchic oscillations and waves, this book focuses on the numerous applications of nonlinear theory in different types of high-current Free Electron Lasers (FEL), including their primary function in the calculation methods used to analyze various multi-resonant, multi-frequency nonlinear FEL models.This is considered the first book to: Completely and systematically describe the foundation of hierarchical electrodynamics as a new direction of physics Fully represent the physics of high-current FEL—and associated models—from the hierarchic oscillation wave perspective Cover the multi-harmonic nonlinear theory of new types of electronic devices, such as plasma-beam and two-stream FEL Formulate and substantiate the concept of cluster femtosecond FEL Analyze practical prospects for a new generation of a global'Star Wars'strategic defense systems These subjects involve a wide range of disciplines. Using numerous real-world examples to illustrate information and concepts, the book offers a mathematical foundation to explore FEL applications as well as analyze hierarchic plasma-like electrodynamic systems and femto-second clusters of electromagnetic energy. Assembling fragmented concepts from existing literature, the author re-examines classic approaches in order to develop new insights and achieve scientific breakthroughs.

This book addresses an interesting and technologically important class of materials, the amorphous chalcogenide semiconductors. Experimental results on the structural and electronic metastable states in Se-rich chalcogenides are presented. Special attention is paid to the states in the mobility gap and their sensitivity to various factors such as irradiation, annealing and composition. Photoinduced changes of structure and physical properties are also considered and structural transformation at photocrystallization is studied in detail. Finally, the authors discuss potential applications of the observed effects in xerography, digital radiography and for optical data storage.