Here we study asymmetric Kummer beams (aK-beams) with their scalar complex amplitude being proportional to the Kummer function (a degenerate hypergeometric function). These beams are an exact solution of the paraxial propagation equation (Schrödinger-type equation) and obtained from the conventional symmetric hypergeometric beams by a complex shift of the transverse coordinates. On propagation, the aK-beams change their intensity weakly and rotate around the optical axis. These beams are an example of vortex laser beams with a fractional orbital angular momentum (OAM), which depends on four parameters: the vortex topological charge, the shift magnitude, the logarithmic axicon parameter and the degree of the radial factor. Changing these parameters, it is possible to control the beam OAM, either continuously increasing or decreasing it.
Astigmatic laser beams with a large orbital angular momentum
