Photorefractive and computational holography in the experimental generation of Airy beams

Abstract: In this paper, we present the experimental generation of Airy beams via computational and photorefractive holography. Experimental generation of Airy beams using conventional optical components presents several difficulties and are practically infeasible. Thus, the optical generation of Airy beams has been made from the optical reconstruction of a computer generated hologram implemented in a spatial light modulators. In the photorefractive holography technique, being used for the first time to our knowledge, the hologram of an Airy beam is constructed (recorded) and reconstructed (reading) optically in a nonlinear photorefractive medium. The Airy beam experimental realization was made by a setup of computational and photorefractive holography using a photorefractive Bi_{12}TiO_{20} crystal as holographic recording medium. Airy beams and Airy beam arrays were obtained experimentally as in accordance with the predicted theory; and present excellent prospects for applications in optical trapping and optical communications systems.