Shaping space-time wavepackets beyond the paraxial limit using a dispersion magnifier

Abstract

Space-time wavepackets (STWPs) have received significant attention since they can propagate in free space at arbitrary group velocity without dispersion and diffraction. However, at present, the generation of STWPs has been limited to the paraxial regime. Here we show that conventional optical elements can be used to extend STWPs beyond the paraxial regime. A dispersion magnifier, consisting of two lenses and a beam expander, applies spatiotemporal shaping to paraxial STWPs to create nonparaxial STWPs. The control of the magnification ratio results in versatile engineering capabilities on group velocity, beam diameter, and propagation distance. As an example, we numerically demonstrated long-distance propagation or slow group velocity of the output wavepacket with subwavelength cross-sections.