Modal conversion of transverse mode-locked laser beams

Abstract The conversion of transverse mode-locked (TML) laser beams from a Hermite-Gaussian (HG) to Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) mode set using cylindrical lens converter was demonstrated experimentally. By changing the spatial symmetry new spatio-temporal dynamics for TML lasers were enabled. In particular, fast linear motion an oscillating spot, generated by based on HG modes, translated into circular beam LG modes. successfully different average orders. Apart ellipticity about $$6\%$$ 6 % , converted profiles remained over propagation near- far-field. remaining seemed be introduced astigmatism incident beam, which could compensated before conversion. Due their radial and high scanning speed modes are well suited precision applications like STED or Minflux microscopy.