Snake beam: a paraxial arbitrary focal line.

The creation of paraxial arbitrary focal lines by a Fourier computer-generated hologram is demonstrated. The desired focal line is represented by a series of connected straight line segments, each of which is implemented by a radial harmonic function located on a different radial portion of the entire hologram. Each subhologram is multiplied by appropriate linear and quadratic phase functions and is shifted by some distance from the center. The two phase factors determine the location of each line segment, while the in-plane shift determines the tilt angle of the segment.