Generation of stable propagation Bessel beams and axial multifoci beams with binary amplitude filters.

The binary amplitude filter (BAF) is employed to generate stable propagation Bessel beams and axial multifoci beams, rather than the traditional continuous amplitude filter (CAF). We introduce a parameter along the azimuth direction, i.e., angular order of the BAF, to weaken transverse intensity asymmetry. Numerical simulations reveal that the BAF implements the same optical functionalities as the CAF. The BAF holds advantages over the traditional CAF: a simpler fabrication process, a lower cost, and a higher experimental accuracy. It is believed that the BAF should have many practical applications in future optical systems.