Laser radiation converters on the base of crystals

We designed and made a compact laser radiation converter on the basis of a biaxial crystal oriented along its binormal. The deviсe is designed for apodization and decreasing laser beam divergence, as well as for shaping hollow light beams with a wave front dislocation. Optical elements of the converter allow to transform both pulsed, and continuous powerful laser radiation. It is possible to transfer converted beams at large distance in transparent media. The device holds much promise for manipulation by particles on the principle of a laser tweezer, for laser processing of materials, for influence on organic cells and its components, and in interferometry and profilometry.