Beam propagation in uniaxial anisotropic media

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983 · J. Opt. Soc. Am.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/JOSA.73.000920· OSTI ID:5890928

Fleck, Jr, J A; Feit, M D

Paraxial wave equations are derived for the propagation of beams in uniform uniaxial anisotropic media. The equations are generalized to the case of nonuniform media with weakly varying refractive indices. An ordinary wave beam is governed by a standard paraxial equation, whereas an extraordinary wave beam is governed by a paraxial wave equation, which involves both a displacement relative to the position of an ordinary wave beam and a rescaling of one transverse coordinate. The solution to the latter equation for a propagating Gaussian beam displays a distortion of both shape and phase front. Numerical results for diffraction by a uniformly illuminated circular aperature in a calcite medium display various anomalies ascribable to a loss of circular symmetry.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of California, Livermore, California 94550
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5890928
• Journal Information: J. Opt. Soc. Am.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Opt. Soc. Am.; (United States) Vol. 73:7; ISSN JOSAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

657005* -- Theoretical Physics-- Optics
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANISOTROPY
APERTURES
BEAMS
COHERENT SCATTERING
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DIFFRACTION
EQUATIONS
FUNCTIONS
GAUSS FUNCTION
ISOTROPY
MAXWELL EQUATIONS
NEUTRAL-PARTICLE TRANSPORT
OPENINGS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PHOTON BEAMS
PHOTON TRANSPORT
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLARIZATION
RADIATION TRANSPORT
REFRACTIVITY
SCATTERING
WAVE PROPAGATION
WAVEGUIDES