Course: Learn Laser Interferometry with Finesse


3 Gaussian beams


The transverse spatial distribution of a beam is introduced, that is, the amplitude and phase of the beam are no longer constant in the plane perpendicual to the optical axis. This plane is spanned by the x and y-axes.

In Finesse the spatial distributions are described by Hermite-Gaussian (defualt) or Laguerre-Gaussian functions.