Hollow cylindrical three-dimensional nonlinear photonic crystal for annular beam generation

We present a hollow cylindrical three-dimensional nonlinear photonic crystal for annular beam shaping. By inducing a modification with the near-infrared femtosecond laser inside lithium niobate, we experimentally achieve second-order nonlinear optical coefficient modulation in three dimensions. The center dark spot ratio of the generated annular beam can be adjusted by varying the hollow ratio of the cylindrical structure. To demonstrate the controlled linear variation of the annular distribution, we generate annular beams with center dark spot ratios ranging from 0 to 0.7. Furthermore, we illustrate the feasibility of the generated annular beam in optical trapping by manipulating glass powder particles with diameters of 4–10 lm in water. Our hollow cylindrical structure owns effective control of beam dark spot ratio, while providing a tool for generating annular beam.

Applied Physics Letters