Flexible rotation of transverse optical field for 2D self-accelerating beams with a designated trajectory

Abstract

Self-accelerating beams have the unusual ability to remain diffraction-free while undergo the transverse shift during the free-space propagation. We theoretically identify that the transverse optical field distribution of 2D self-accelerating beam is determined by the selection of the transverse Cartesian coordinates, when the caustic method is utilized for its trajectory design. Based on the coordinate-rotation method, we experimentally demonstrate a scheme to flexibly manipulate the rotation of transverse optical field for 2D self-accelerating beams under the condition of a designated trajectory. With this scheme, the transverse optical field can be rotated within a range of 90 degrees, especially when the trajectory of 2D self-accelerating beams needs to be maintained for free-space photonic interconnection.