Vector Mathieu beam profile engineering for laser material processing applications

Abstract Beam profile engineering where a desired optical intensity distribution can be generated by an array of phase shifting elements is a promising approach in laser material processing. Scalar Mathieu beams have elliptical intensity distribution perceivable as “optical knives” in the transverse plane. They exhibit non-diffracting properties similar to Bessel beams, where a relatively long focal depth retains unchanging intensity distribution, which makes Mathieu beams a promising approach in laser processing. Here, we introduce additionally vector Mathieu beams with controllable polarization and investigate numerically their spatial spectra. Further, we attempt to generate individual components of vector Mathieu beams experimentally using SLMs. We report on our achievements in the control over the beam shape and dimensions along the propagation axis.