Random Light Beams

2

Deterministic paraxial beams

CONTENTS

2.1 Basic family of Gaussian beams

2.1.1 Fundamental Gaussian beam

2.1.2 Hermite-Gaussian beams

2.1.3 Laguerre-Gaussian beams

2.2 Superposition of Gaussian beams

2.2.1 Flat-top beams

2.2.2 Cusp-Gaussian beams

2.2.3 Dark-hollow beams

2.3 Other deterministic beams

Before we begin consideration of random beams in the subsequent chapters we will first make a brief overview of deterministic beam-like fields. Unlike the non-diffracting fields, discussed in Chapter 1, which are exact solutions of the Helmholz equation, the beams of this chapter satisfy the paraxial wave equation with certain restrictions on the wave vector. They exhibit spatial spreading. Our interest in such fields is primarily dictated by ...