Gaussian beam ( radius of curvature )

Description

In optics, a Gaussian beam is a beam of electromagnetic radiation whose transverse electric field and intensity (irradiance) distributions are well approximated by Gaussian functions. A spherical lens or mirror surface has a center of curvature located in (x, y, z) either along or decentered from the system local optical axis. The vertex of the lens surface is located on the local optical axis. The distance from the vertex to the center of curvature is the radius of curvature of the surface. The value of the radius of curvature of the wavefronts comprising the Gaussian beam can be calculated by the axial distance from the beam’s narrowest point (the “waist”) and the Rayleigh range.