Nonparaxial fields with maximum joint spatial-directional localization. I. Scalar case
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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Lens-free Video Microscopy for the Dynamic and Quantitative Analysis of Adherent Cell Culture
Published on: February 23, 2018
Miguel A Alonso1, Riccardo Borghi, Massimo Santarsiero
1The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA. alonso@optics.rochester.edu
Abstract:
In paraxial optics, the spatial and angular localization of a beam are usually characterized through second moments in intensity. For these measures, Gaussian beams have the property of achieving a minimum angular spread for a given spatial spread (or beam waist). For wide-angle fields, however, the standard measures of spatial and angular localization become inappropriate, and new definitions must be used. Previously proposed definitions [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 17, 2391 (2000)] are adopted, and the scalar monochromatic wave fields that achieve a minimum angular spread for a given spatial spread are found.
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