Introduction to Photonics

Homework Problem Set # 11

Due:12/23

Gaussian Beam Parameters

1. A 1-mW He-Ne laser produces a Gaussian beam of wavelength  = 633 nm and
a beam waist spot size 2W0 = 0.1 mm.
(a) Determine the angular divergence of the beam, its confocal parameter, and its
diameter at z = 3.5 x l05 km (approximately the distance to the moon).
(b) What is the radius of curvature of the wavefront at z = 0, z = z0, and z = 2z0?
(c) What is the optical intensity (in W/cm2) at the beam center (z = 0,  = 0) and at the
axial point z = z0?

Solution:
Given that wavelength  = 633nm = 0.633m = 0.543 x 10-4 cm;
Input beam waist radius wo = 0.05 mm = 5 x 10-5 [m],
(a)-(i) The beam divergence half-angle (o):
 633 x10 −6 [mm]
0 = = = 4.03 x10 −3 [rad ] = 0.23
w0 x0.05[mm]
(a)-(ii) confocal parameter
𝜋(𝑤0 )2 𝜋𝑥0.052
𝑏=[ ]= [𝑚𝑚] = 12.4𝑚𝑚
𝜆 633𝑥10−6
(a)-(iii) The beam radius w(z) at z = 3.5 x 105 km = 3.5 x 108 m =
z 3.5 x 108 2 1/ 2
w( z ) = wo [1 + ( ) 2 ]1/ 2 = 0.05[mm][1 + ( -3
) ] = 1.41x10 9 [mm] = 1410[km]
zo 12.4 x 10
Beam diameter=2w(z)=2820 [km]
Note: The angle subtended by the beam spot diameter at the eyes of a viewer on the
earth  = 2x1410[km]/3.5 x 105 [km]  8[mrad]  0.4 deg.
(b)-(i) The radius of curvature of the wavefront R(z):
z
R( z ) = z[1 + ( o ) 2 ];
z
 R( z = zo ) = 2 zo = 24.8[mm] (= the Depth of Focus)
1
R( z = 2 zo ) = 2 zo [1 + ( ) 2 ] = 2.5 zo = 31[mm]
2
(c)-(i) The Peak Intensity on the optical axis at the beam waist Io:
 1
I 0 = 2 P /[ ( w0 ) 2 ] = 2 x [mW / cm 2 ] = 2.55 x10 4 [mW / cm 2 ]
 (0.05 x10 )
−1 2

(c)-(ii) The optical intensity on the optical axis at z = zo:

w  2 1
I (  − 0, z = zo ) = I 0 [ 0 ]2 exp{−2[ ] } = I 0 [ ]2 = 1.275 x10 4 [mW / cm 2 ]
w( zo ) w( zo ) 2

Gaussian Beam Transformation

2. Consider a Gaussian beam (wavelength  = 0.543m = 0.543 x 10-4 cm) in air transmits
through a glass plate (refractive index ng = 1.5, thickness t = 30cm) from left to right; given
that at the input plane, the beam radius win = 0.12cm, and the radius of curvature of the
wavefront Rin = 40cm, as shown in the diagram given below; determine
(i). the beam radius and the radius of curvature of the wavefront at the output plane;
(ii). the beam divergence (half) angle in the far field in air (after passing through the plate);
(iii) the location and the radius of the beam waist after passing through the glass plate.

Solution:
Given that wavelength  = 0.543m = 0.543 x 10-4 cm;
Input beam radius win = 0.12cm,
Input radius of curvature of the beam wavefront Rin = 40cm;
(1/qin) = (1/Rin) – j[/(win)2] = (1/40) – j[0.543 x 10-4/(0.12)2] [cm-1]
i.e., (1/qin) = 0.025 – j12x10-4 [cm-1] = 2.5 – j0.12 [m-1]
or (qin) = 1/(2.5 – j0.12) [m] = [1/(2.5 – j0.12)] x [2.5 + j0.12)/(2.5 + j0.12)] [m]
i.e., (qin) = 0.399 + j 0.019 [m].
Note: This means the input beam waist is at a distance of 0.399m to the left of the Input Plane;
and that the Input beam waist radius can be calculated from the equation:
(wo)2/ = 0.019 [m].
(i) For the Gaussian Beam Transformation (after passing through the glass plate),
The Input Complex Radius of Curvature:
qin = q = z + jzo = 0.399 + j 0.019 [m],.
and the Ray Transfer matrix is
1 d / n 1 0.3 / 1.5 1 0.2
M = = =
0 1  0 1  0 1 
The Outpout Complex Radius of Curvature:
qout = q’ = (Aq + B)/(Cq + D) = 0.399 + j0.019 + 0.2 [m] = 0.599 + j0.019 [m]
Note: This means the Output Plane is at a distance of 0.599m to the right of the new
beam waist, and (zo)out = (zo)’= 0.019 [m]; the new beam waist radius can be
calculated from the equation: (w’o)2/ = 0.019 [m].
1/qout = 1/(0.599 + j0.019) [m-1] = 1.668 - j0.0529 [m-1]
Since 1/qout = (1/Rout) - j[/(wout)2]
The radius of curvature of the beam wavefront at the output plane:
(1/Rout) = 1.668 [m-1]
Hence, Rout = 1/1.668 [m] = 0.6 [m]
The beam radius at the output plane (wout), can be calculated from the expression
/(wout)2 = 0.0529 [m-1], and obtain wout = 1.81 x 10-3 m = 1.81mm.
(ii) The output beam divergence half-angle (o)out (after passing through the glass
plate) is given by
(o)out is given by = (/z’o)1/2 [rad] = (0.543 x 10-6/0.019)1/2 [rad] = 3.02 mrad
(iii) As is explain above, the location of the new beam waist (after passing through
the glass plate) is at a distance of 0.599m to the left of the output plane;
and the radius of the new beam waist is given by (w’o)2/ = 0.019 [m].
i..e, w’o = (0.019 / )1/2 = (0.019x0.543 x 10-6/ )1/2 [m].= 57.3 x 10-6 m
(3)

(vi) The beam radius and the radius of curvature of the wavefront at the Input plane
and the Output Plane.

Solution:
(i) Given:  = /2 [m]; complex radius of curvature q(z) = 20 + j40 [cm]
Since q(z) = z + jzo, hence, z = 20cm and zo = 40cm;
i.e., the input plane is 20 at cm in front of the input beam waist, or in other words,
the input beam waist is 20 cm in the back of the input plane (as shown in the diagram
above.
(ii). The radius of the beam waist:
wo = (zo/)1/2 = [()x40x104]1/2/1/2 [m] = (20)1/2x102 [m] = 447.2 [m]
(iii). The output complex radius of curvature” qout =[Aqin + B]/[Cqin + D]
For the positive thin lens with focal length f = 20cm,
 A B  1 0
  =  
 C D   − 1 / 20 1 
Hence, qout = [1xqin]/[(-1/20) qin + 1] = [1x(20 + j40)]/[(-1/20)( 20 + j40) + 1]
i.e., qout = (20 + 40j)/(-2j) [cm] = -20 + 10j [cm]
Since qout = (z)out + j(zo) out
i.e., (z)out = -20cm, and (zo) out = 10cm.
That means, the output plane is 20cm in the back of the new beam waist, in other
words, the new beam waist is 20cm in front of the output plane (as shown in the
diagram given above).
(iv). The radius of the new beam waist (wo)out is given by
(wo)out = [x(zo)out/]1/2 = [()x10x104]1/2/1/2 [m] = (5)1/2x102 [m] = 223.6 [m]
(v).
The beam intensity [in mW/cm2] on the optical axis at the beam waist = Io
Total optical power P = Iox(wo2/2); i.e., Io = Px(2/wo2)
i.e., Io = (2x2)/(x5x104x10-8) [mW/cm2] = 2.55x 103 [mW/cm2]
= 2.55 [W/cm2]
(vi) The beam radius and the radius of curvature of the wavefront at the Input plane
and the Output Plane.
Given that qin = q(z) = 20 + j40 [cm] = 20(1 + 2j) [cm]
1/qin = 1/]20(1 + 2j)] [cm-1] = (1/100)(1- 2j) [cm-1] = (1/100) – (j/50) [cm-1]
Since 1/qin = (1/Rin) - j[/(win)2]
The radius of curvature of the beam wavefront at the input plane:
(1/Rin) = (1/100) [cm-1]
Hence, Rin = 100 [cm]
The beam radius at the iutput plane (win) can be calculated from the expression
/(win)2 = (1/50) [cm-1]; i.e., win = (50/)1/2 = 5 x 10-2 cm = 0.5mm.
Likewise, we have qout = -20 + j10 [cm] = 10(-2 + j) [cm]
Hence, 1/qout = (1/10)[1/(-2 + j)] [cm-1] = -(1/25) – j(1/50)[cm-1]
Since 1/qout = (1/Rout) - j[/(wout)2]
The radius of curvature of the beam wavefront at the output plane:
(1/Rout) = -1/25 [cm-1]
Hence, Rout = -25 [cm] ; the “-” sign means that the curvature is concave if you are
facing the Gaussian beam (propagating towards you).
The beam radius at the output plane (wout), can be calculated from the expression
/(wout)2 = (1/50) [cm-1], and obtain wout = 0.5mm = win.
Note that for a Gaussian beam passing through a thin lens, wout = win.