A Trick of the Light: Phase Velocity Swifter than Celeritas
Major
Physics
Second Major
Computer Science
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Mathematics, Physics
Faculty Advisor
Gabriel C. Spalding
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-12-2025 8:30 AM
End Date
4-12-2025 9:30 AM
Abstract
The Gouy phase shift is an underappreciated phenomenon that occurs when there is any deviation from planar light propagation. Though it does not violate any physical law, a superluminal component of the phase velocity arises whenever a wave vector is locally inclined: that is, points of constant phase, such as those along a wave crest, must travel faster than “the speed of light.” Inspired by derivations written in cartesian coordinates by previous IWU students, we aim to perform fresh derivations using cylindrical coordinates to assess the Gouy Phase Shift for the cylindrically symmetric Laguerre-Gaussian laser modes, allowing for prediction of any resulting “bottle beams” that might be produced via their superposition, and assessment of their utility for Quantum Information Systems. Concurrently, we will experimentally examine the Gouy phase shift as a function of systematically increasing wavefront inclinations and (holographically produced) laser modes.
A Trick of the Light: Phase Velocity Swifter than Celeritas
CNS Atrium
The Gouy phase shift is an underappreciated phenomenon that occurs when there is any deviation from planar light propagation. Though it does not violate any physical law, a superluminal component of the phase velocity arises whenever a wave vector is locally inclined: that is, points of constant phase, such as those along a wave crest, must travel faster than “the speed of light.” Inspired by derivations written in cartesian coordinates by previous IWU students, we aim to perform fresh derivations using cylindrical coordinates to assess the Gouy Phase Shift for the cylindrically symmetric Laguerre-Gaussian laser modes, allowing for prediction of any resulting “bottle beams” that might be produced via their superposition, and assessment of their utility for Quantum Information Systems. Concurrently, we will experimentally examine the Gouy phase shift as a function of systematically increasing wavefront inclinations and (holographically produced) laser modes.