Abstract

A number of proposed applications of electromagnetic waves require that the radiation beam maintain a high intensity over an appreciable propagation distance. These applications include, among others, power beaming, advanced radar, laser acceleration of particles, and directed-energy sources. The quest to achieve these objectives has led to a resurgence of research on diffraction theory. We present a survey and critique of the analyses and experimental tests of solutions of the wave equation in connection with so-called diffractionless and other directed radiation beams. The examples discussed include electromagnetic missiles, Bessel beams, electromagnetic directed-energy pulse trains, and electromagnetic bullets.

© 1991 Optical Society of America

Comparison of the propagation characteristics of Bessel, Bessel–Gauss, and Gaussian beams diffracted by a circular aperture

P. L. Overfelt and C. S. Kenney
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 8(5) 732-745 (1991)

Bessel pulse beams and focus wave modes

Colin J. R. Sheppard
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 18(10) 2594-2600 (2001)

Phase-space beam summation for time-dependent radiation from large apertures: continuous parameterization

B. Z. Steinberg, Ehud Heyman, and L. B. Felsen
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 8(6) 943-958 (1991)

Production and uses of diffractionless beams

R. M. Herman and T. A. Wiggins
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 8(6) 932-942 (1991)

Phase-space beam summation for time-dependent radiation from large apertures: discretized parameterization

B. Z. Steinberg and Ehud Heyman
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 8(6) 959-966 (1991)