SUMMARY: UCLA researchers in the Physics Department have developed a monolithic reflaxicon with the potential to be applied in multiple optical purposes. BACKGROUND: Axicon lenses have conical surfaces that can be used to transform a laser beam into ring-shaped distributions. Utilizing axicons in combination or with lenses allows a wide variety of pattern formations for multiple applications such as telescopes, eye surgery, borehole imaging, and optical traps. One of the major issues faced is in the field of axicon optics is lens damaging. Transmissive axicons in the context of high-power pulsed lasers often encounter the issue of lens damage, which led to the invention of the reflective axicon (reflaxicons). Nevertheless, since reflaxicons are made of at least two separate parts, the embodiment has problems with alignment, defocusing the laser beams. Therefore, there is a need for a novel design with high damage tolerance and good alignment for various applications. INNOVATION: UCLA researchers in the Physics Department have developed a reflaxicon that has an intrinsically aligned optic. The design ensures that all rays enter and exit the medium normal to the surface. This design improvement may reduce the amount of light deposited in the lens, preventing additional damage to the optical lens. UCLA’s reflaxicons could expand the use of high laser beams for multiple purposes. POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
ADVANTAGES:
DEVELOPMENT TO DATE:
First successful description of complete invention.