Controlled propagation of superposed multiple Airy beams with initial launch angles

Abstract Airy beams, characterized by intrinsic transverse self-acceleration, enable the generation of strong optical fields through coherent superposition of multiple Airy beams (MABs); however, diffraction-induced dissipation limits the achievable field intensity in MABs. Here we investigate the role of an initial launch angle in accelerating the convergence of the main lobes of MABs and in enhancing the resulting focal intensity. Using the angular spectrum representation, both outward and inward MABs are analyzed. We show that the initial launch angle provides an effective degree of freedom for controlling the propagation and focusing properties of MABs. By tailoring the launch angle, both outward and inward MABs can generate intense focal spots through coherent superposition of their main lobes, with the focal intensity significantly enhanced and the focal position flexibly tuned. Moreover, the launch angle enables modulation of the focal-field pattern, allowing transitions between a single focus and a multiple-focus array. These results may find applications in optical manipulation using tailored MABs.