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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry
Published on: August 12, 2013
Abstract:
A generalization of the Gaussian beam is obtained by introducing a complex-valued shift in the transverse dimension. The resulting beam has a Gaussian intensity distribution with width varying as an ordinary Gaussian beam, but whose peak traces an inclined linear trajectory. The wave fronts are displaced laterally in a sheared fashion. This generalized beam preserves its form after passing through arbitrary paraxial optical components, even if they are decentered. The peak-intensity line is modified by such systems as if it were a ray.
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