Measurement of gradient index materials by beam deflection, displacement, or mode conversion

Abstract

For media with heterogeneous index of refraction, rays follow curved paths. Methods exploiting knowledge of the relationship between refractive index distribution and ray paths to estimate the refractive index distribution based on laser beam deflection, displacement, and mode con- version on passage through the media are described. The work covers axial, radial (cylindrical), and spherical refractive index distributions.