Optimal Laguerre-Gaussian modes for high-intensity optical vortices.

With increasing interest in using orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes in high-power laser systems, accurate mathematical descriptions of the high-intensity modes at focus are required for realistic modeling. In this work, we derive various high-intensity orbital angular momentum focal spot intensity distributions generated by Gaussian, super-Gaussian, and ideal flat-top beams common to high-power laser systems. These intensity distributions are then approximated using fitted Laguerre-Gaussian basis functions as a practical way for describing high-power OAM beams in theoretical and numerical models.