Course: Learn Laser Interferometry with Finesse


3 Gaussian beams

3.1 Beam parameters


A Gaussian beam can be uniquely described by the waist size and waist position of the beam. Here, we investigate these important beam parameters as well as other useful derived parameters such as the radius of curvature of the phase front, the Rayleigh range, and the diffraction angle, and we learn how to obtain these parameters from Finesse.