Generating Bessel Beams with an Elastomeric Replica of a Weevil Carapace

• Main Authors: Ramos, Paz Victoria T., De Vera, Michie Vianca D., Guerrero, Raphael
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2024
• Subjects: annular slit; Bessel beam; biomimetics; elastomer; soft lithography; Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics; Physical Sciences and Mathematics; Physics
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/physics-faculty-pubs/175; https://archium.ateneo.edu/context/physics-faculty-pubs/article/1175/viewcontent/074105_1.pdf
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

We generate a zero-order Bessel beam with a laser beam focused onto an elastomeric replica of a weevil carapace scale. Carapace surface structures are imprinted on an elastomeric cast via soft lithography. The output Bessel beam exhibits the expected properties of non-diffraction over a propagation range of 30 cm. The width of the central spot at a propagation distance of 25 cm is 296:8 μm, corresponding to a replicated weevil scale with a diameter of 64.3 μm acting as an annular slit. Self-healing of the beam after encountering a wire obstruction is also observed.