# Atomic vapor as a source of tunable, non-Gaussian self-reconstructing optical modes

## TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how nonlinear interactions in hot rubidium vapor can produce tunable, non-Gaussian optical modes that can self-reconstruct after obstruction, with potential applications in imaging and communication.

## Contribution

It introduces a method to generate tunable, self-reconstructing non-Gaussian optical modes using light-atom interactions in hot vapor, which was not previously demonstrated.

## Key findings

- Output modes are non-Gaussian and controllable via input power and temperature.
- Modes exhibit self-reconstruction after obstruction, similar to truncated Bessel-Gauss modes.
- Self-reconstruction occurs earlier than in Gaussian modes.

## Abstract

In this manuscript, we demonstrate the ability of nonlinear light-atom interactions to produce tunably non-Gaussian, partially self-healing optical modes. Gaussian spatial-mode light tuned near to the atomic resonances in hot rubidium vapor is shown to result in non-Gaussian output mode structures that may be controlled by varying either the input beam power or the temperature of the atomic vapor. We show that the output modes exhibit a degree of self-reconstruction after encountering an obstruction in the beam path. The resultant modes are similar to truncated Bessel-Gauss modes that exhibit the ability to self-reconstruct earlier upon propagation than Gaussian modes. The ability to generate tunable, self-reconstructing beams has potential applications to a variety of imaging and communication scenarios.