Maximal breaking of symmetry at critical angles and a closed-form expression for angular deviations of the Snell law

A detailed analysis of the propagation of laser Gaussian beams at critical angles shows under which conditions it is possible to maximize the breaking of symmetry in the angular distribution and for which values of the laser wavelength and beam waist it is possible to find an analytic formula for the maximal angular deviation from the optical path predicted by the Snell law. For beam propagation through N dielectric blocks and for a maximal breaking of symmetry, a closed expression for the Goos-Hanchen shift is obtained. The multiple-peak phenomenon clearly represents additional evidence of the breaking of symmetry in the angular distribution of optical beams. Finally, the laser wavelength and beam-waist conditions to produce focal effects in the outgoing beam are also briefly discussed.