A detailed study of Mathieu-Gauss beams propagation through an apertured ABCD optical system

Using Collins formula and the expansion of Mathieu beams in terms of Bessel beams we derive the exact propagation equations of Mathieu-Gauss beams through an apertured paraxial ABCD optical system. A comparison between the exact propagation equations and the approximated ones, which are derived by expanding the circ function into a finite sum of Gaussian functions, is presented. The propagation characteristics of zeroth-order Mathieu-Gauss beams in (y-z) and (x-z) planes are analyzed with detailed numerical calculations. It is found that the profile of the propagated Mathieu-Gauss beam is similar to that of Bessel-Gauss beam. Furthermore, the focalization of the Mathieu-Gauss beams through a thin lens is illustrated and analyzed with numerical results. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.