Review

Light beats the spread: “non-diffracting” beams

  1. M. Mazilu,
  2. D.James Stevenson1,2,
  3. F. Gunn-Moore2,
  4. K. Dholakia

Article first published online: 28 SEP 2009

DOI: 10.1002/lpor.200910019

Issue

Laser & Photonics Reviews

Laser & Photonics Reviews

Volume 4, Issue 4, pages 529–547, June 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Mazilu, M., Stevenson, D.James., Gunn-Moore, F. and Dholakia, K. (2010), Light beats the spread: “non-diffracting” beams. Laser & Photon. Rev., 4: 529–547. doi: 10.1002/lpor.200910019

Author Information

  1. 1

    SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, Fife, Scotland KY16 9SS, UK

  2. 2

    School of Biology, University of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland KY16 9TS, UK

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 28 JUN 2010
  2. Article first published online: 28 SEP 2009
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 28 JUL 2009
  4. Manuscript Revised: 6 JUL 2009
  5. Manuscript Received: 31 MAR 2009

Funded by

  • UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
  • EU Network of Excellence. Grant Number: PHOTONICS4LIFE

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Keywords:

  • Non-diffracting beam;
  • optical micromanipulation;
  • optical injection;
  • Bessel beam;
  • Airy beam;
  • Mathieu beam;
  • Diffraction;
  • nonlinear optics.

Abstract

“Non-diffracting” beams do not spread as they propagate. This property is useful in many areas. Here, the theory, generation, properties, and applications of various “non-diffracting” beams, including the Bessel beam, Mathieu beam, and Airy beam is reviewed. Applications include imaging, micromanipulation, nonlinear optics, and optical transfection.

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