Gaussian amplitude functions that are exact solutions to the scalar Helmholtz equation

B. Tehan Landesman, H. H. Barrett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

A new family of exact solutions of the scalar Helmholtz equation is presented. The 0, 0 order of this family represents a new mathematical model for the fundamental mode of a propagating Gaussian beam. The family consists of nonseparable functions in the oblate spheroidal coordinate system and can easily by transformed into a different set of solutions in the prolate spheroidal coordinate system, where the 0, 0 order is a spherical wave. This transformation consists of two substitutions in the coordinate system parameters and represents a more general method of obtaining a Gaussian beam from a spherical wave than assuming a complex point source on axis. Finally, each higher-order member of the family of solutions possesses an amplitude consisting of a finite number of higher-order terms with a zero-order term that is Gaussian.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1610-1619
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the Optical Society of America A: Optics and Image Science, and Vision
Volume5
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition

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