Abstract

Axicons provide a simple way of generating diffraction-free beams. It has been pointed out that the finite size of axicons and their conical angle determine uniquely that diffraction-free region. We will show that for scanning purposes the line spread function (LSF) is of prime importance and that the long range and narrow LSF requirements are contradictory. Performance optimization of axicon-generated beams with and without circular symmetry is investigated theoretically as well as experimentally.

© 1992 Optical Society of America