Abstract

The asymptotic methods developed by Horwitz for the analysis of strip unstable laser resonators are extended to resonators with circular mirrors. The theory is developed and shown to give results in good agreement with results obtained using more conventional techniques, with substantial savings in computer time. The interleaving of the resonator eigenvalue graphs is seen to persist, even at very large Fresnel numbers. Further applications of asymptotic resonator analysis are suggested.

© 1978 Optical Society of America

Ray-optical analysis of unstable resonators with spherical mirrors

S. H. Cho and L. B. Felsen
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 69(10) 1377-1383 (1979)

Unstable resonator with canceling edge waves: asymptotic analysis

Martin E. Smithers and Gregory C. Dente
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 73(1) 76-79 (1983)

Ray-optical analysis of cylindrical unstable resonators

S. H. Cho, S. Y. Shin, and L. B. Felsen
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 69(4) 563-574 (1979)

Unstable strip resonators with misaligned circular mirrors

C. Santana and L. B. Felsen
Appl. Opt. 17(15) 2352-2357 (1978)

Unstable resonator modes for lasers with circular mirrors and high Fresnel numbers

Alvin R. Larson
Appl. Opt. 32(30) 5872-5884 (1993)