Generation of radially polarized Bessel-Gaussian beams from c-cut Nd:YVO₄ laser

We experimentally demonstrate the generation of radially polarized Bessel-Gaussian beams from a c-cut Nd:YVO₄ laser with a hemispherical cavity configuration by proper mode control. The output beam has an annular-shaped intensity distribution with radial polarization. When the beam is focused, the intensity pattern changes to a multiring, which is a typical characteristic of the lowest transverse mode of vector Bessel-Gaussian beam. Higher-order modes of vector Bessel-Gaussian beam are also observed from the same cavity by slightly changing the cavity alignment. The experimental results show a good agreement with the simulation results for both focal and far fields. The present method is a simple and direct way for generating vector Bessel-Gaussian beams.