Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry
Published on: August 12, 2013
Propagation analysis of the Laguerre-Gaussian beam with astigmatism
Atsushi Wada1, Takumi Ohtani, Yoko Miyamoto
1Department of Information and Communication Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, 1-5-1, Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan. wada@ice.uec.ac.jp
Abstract:
The entire range of transformations that a Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beam with astigmatism can go through in free space is clarified. The transformations are governed by the relative phase between the astigmatic Hermite-Gaussian components. Formulas describing the behavior of this relative phase are obtained and used to classify and map the transformation patterns to initial beam parameters. The difference between an LG beam and a phase singular beam generated by a hologram under astigmatic conditions is also investigated.
Related Concept Videos
Beams with Unsymmetric Loadings
The first moment-area theorem determines the slope at any point on the beam. This theorem indicates that the change in slope between two points on a beam...
Gauss's Law: Spherical Symmetry
Propagation of Waves
Consider a scenario where a wave propagates from a string of low linear mass density to a string of high linear mass density. In such a case, the reflected wave is out of phase with respect to the incident wave, however the...
Gauss's Law: Cylindrical Symmetry
Polar Coordinates: Problem Solving
Gauss's Law: Planar Symmetry

