Decoding Optical Diffraction through Non-Diffractive and Self-Healing Beam Architectures

doi:10.1002/lpor.71559

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Decoding Optical Diffraction through Non-Diffractive and Self-Healing Beam Architectures

2026-07-28

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Svetlana N. Khonina *

Nikolay L. Kazanskiy

DOI：10.1002/lpor.71559

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Abstract

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This review presents a unified wave-optical perspective on non-diffractive and propagation-invariant optical fields by examining their physical origins, fundamental limitations, and functional capabilities. Rather than treating diffraction-free behavior as an isolated property of specific beam families, the discussion identifies spectral correlations in momentum space as the fundamental principle governing propagation invariance. Classical structured beams, including Bessel beam, Airy beam, Mathieu, and Weber fields are analyzed alongside vectorial and space-time structured waves, clarifying mechanisms responsible for self-healing, obstruction resilience, and controlled energy transport. Finite-energy realizations are examined to highlight trade-offs between invariant propagation distance, transverse confinement, and side-lobe energy distribution. The review further explores polarization structure, transverse spin, and spin–orbit interactions, demonstrating how vectorial degrees of freedom extend non-diffractive behavior beyond scalar optics. Nonlinear and spatiotemporal regimes are also considered, showing how diffraction, dispersion, and nonlinearity can be simultaneously engineered through spectral design. By introducing quantitative performance metrics and comparative analysis across beam families and implementation platforms, this work establishes a systematic framework for evaluating structured light systems and outlines future directions for advanced photonic applications and light–matter interaction engineering.

Keywords:

angular momentum of light

non-diffractive beams

propagation invariant wave packets

spin orbit interaction

structured light