Characterization of super-Gaussian beams generated through volume holography

Super-Gaussian (SG) illuminators offer a promising solution for addressing non-uniform illumination challenges in laser and related imaging applications. This study explores the generation and characterization of SG beams using volume holography (VH), where PQ: PMMA photosensitive materials are employed for recording and reconstructing SG beam profiles of various shapes. The characterization focuses on ISO-standard parameters, including plateau uniformity, edge steepness, flatness factor, and beam stability along the propagation axis and for different wavelengths, and shows high-performance values. The VH-generated SG beams provide uniform illumination, enhance imaging fidelity, and enable high throughput with minimal image overlap. The comparative analysis underscores the advantages of VH-based SG illuminators over conventional programmable beam-shaping methods, such as spatial light modulators, particularly in terms of tunability, efficiency, and versatility for communication and data storage applications.