Abstract
On the basis of the space–time Wigner distribution function (STWDF), we use the matrix formalism to study the propagation laws for the intensity moments of quasi-monochromatic and polychromatic pulsed paraxial beams. The advantages of this approach are reviewed. Also, a least-squares fitting method for interpreting the physical meaning of the effective curvature matrix is described by means of the STWDF. Then the concept is extended to the higher-order situation, and what we believe is a novel technique for characterizing the beam phase is presented.
© 1999 Optical Society of America
Full Article | PDF ArticleMore Like This
R. Simon and N. Mukunda
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 17(12) 2440-2463 (2000)
Kurt Bernardo Wolf, Miguel Angel Alonso, and Gregory W. Forbes
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 16(10) 2476-2487 (1999)
D. Dragoman
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 13(3) 474-478 (1996)