Abstract

There is need in the laser industry for meaningful and complete information about the propagation characteristics of laser beams. This is especially true for material processing lasers, as their high- power beams typically exhibit propagation characteristics ascribable to modes of higher order than TEM₀₀ mode. A related need is for simple analytical tools that, together with adequate beam information, allow accurate mathematical modeling and beam diameter prediction at any plane in optical systems that may include long paths, focusing optics, collimators, and other components.

© 1988 Optical Society of America