Propagation of an Airy–Gaussian beam in uniaxial crystals

Abstract

Under the paraxial approximation, the analytical propagation expression of an Airy–Gaussian beam (AiGB) in uniaxial crystals orthogonal to the optical axis is investigated. The propagation dynamics of the AiGB is given for different ratios of the extraordinary index to the ordinary refractive index. It has been found that the continuity and the self-bending effect of AiGB become weaker when the ratio increases. From the figure of the maximum intensity of AiGB, one can see that the maximum intensity is not monotone decreasing due to the anisotropic effect of the crystals. The intensity distribution of AiGB in different distribution factors is shown. The AiGB converges toward a Gaussian beam as the distribution factor increases.