On-chip plasmonic spectrometer.

We report a numerical and experimental study of an on-chip optical spectrometer, utilizing propagating surface plasmon polaritons in the telecom spectral range. The device is based on two holographic gratings, one for coupling, and the other for decoupling free-space radiation with the surface plasmons. This 800 μm×100 μm on-chip spectrometer resolves 17 channels spectrally separated by 3.

Self-similar propagation of Hermite-Gauss water-wave pulses.

We demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally propagation dynamics of surface gravity water-wave pulses, having Hermite-Gauss envelopes. We show that these waves propagate self-similarly along an 18-m wave tank, preserving their general Hermite-Gauss envelopes in both the linear and the nonlinear regimes. The measured surface elevation wave groups enable observing the envelope phase evolution of both nonchirped and linearly frequency chirped Hermite-Gauss pulses, hence allowing us to measure Gouy phase shifts of high-order Hermite-Gauss pulses for the first time.

Propagation Dynamics of Nonspreading Cosine-Gauss Water-Wave Pulses.

Linear gravity water waves are highly dispersive; therefore, the spreading of initially short wave trains characterizes water surface waves, and is a universal property of a dispersive medium. Only if there is sufficient nonlinearity does this envelope admit solitary solutions which do not spread and remain in fixed forms. Here, in contrast to the nonlinear localized wave packets, we present both theoretically and experimentally a new type of linearly nondispersive water wave, having a cosine-Gauss envelope, as well as its higher-order Hermite cosine-Gauss variations.

Measurement of acceleration and orbital angular momentum of Airy beam and Airy-vortex beam by astigmatic transformation.

Special beams, including the Airy beam and the vortex-embedded Airy beam, draw much attention due to their unique features and promising applications. Therefore, it is necessary to devise a straightforward method for measuring these peculiar features of the beams with ease. Hence we present the astigmatic transformation of Airy and Airy-vortex beam.

Super-Airy beam: self-accelerating beam with intensified main lobe.

We introduce, theoretically and experimentally, the concept of a diffraction-free "super-Airy" beam, in which the main lobe is reduced to nearly half in size with increased intensity in comparison to the main lobe of the optical Airy beam, while maintaining the same transverse acceleration. It is also observed that when the super-Airy main lobe is blocked during propagation, it recovers to the original size faster than the Airy main lobe.

Propagation Dynamics of Airy Water-Wave Pulses.

We observe the propagation dynamics of surface gravity water waves, having an Airy function envelope, in both the linear and the nonlinear regimes. In the linear regime, the shape of the envelope is preserved while propagating in an 18-m water tank, despite the inherent dispersion of the wave packet. The Airy wave function can propagate at a velocity that is slower (or faster if the Airy envelope is inverted) than the group velocity.

Unveiling the orbital angular momentum and acceleration of electron beams.

New forms of electron beams have been intensively investigated recently, including vortex beams carrying orbital angular momentum, as well as Airy beams propagating along a parabolic trajectory. Their traits may be harnessed for applications in materials science, electron microscopy, and interferometry, and so it is important to measure their properties with ease. Here, we show how one may immediately quantify these beams' parameters without need for additional fabrication or nonstandard microscopic tools.