Propagation properties of Airy Ince–Gaussian wave packets in gradient-index media

We study localized Airy Ince–Gaussian (AiIG) wave packets in gradient-index (GRIN) media by solving the spatiotemporal evolution equation analytically. The generation and manipulation of AiIG wave packets in GRIN media are affected by the direction of the self-accelerating, elliptical, refractive index distribution parameter, initial velocity and mode number. In addition, energy flow, angular momentum and radiation force, which change periodically, are also thoroughly discussed. The Airy helical Ince–Gaussian wave packets exhibit multiple vortices and carry orbital angular momentum, which have potential applications in optical tweezers and optical communications. (letter)