Bessel beams, propagationally invariant beams, and axicons: An historical and tutorial review
Optics
2025-09-09 v1
Abstract
The Bessel beam is discussed, including its historical development. We present the relationship with the Arago Spot, annular pupils, axicons and pupil filters. We also discuss Bessel-Gauss beams; higher order Bessel beams; electromagnetic polarization properties; waveguide and resonator modes; polychromatic and pulsed beams; one-dimensional Airy beams; extended depth of focus; and light sheets and photonic nanojets.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2509.06354,
title = {Bessel beams, propagationally invariant beams, and axicons: An historical and tutorial review},
author = {Colin J. R. Sheppard},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2509.06354},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
35 pages, 12 figures