Abstract
A survey is given on the various algorithms to describe the propagation of radiation fields in the paraxial approximation, starting with the Kirchhoff-Fresnel-Collins-integral and ending with the intensity moments and the generalizedABCD-law. The importance of characterizing beam quality for technical applications by suitable parameters is pointed out. The two competing definitions of beam parameters, intensity moments and power content values are discussed.
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Weber, H. Some historical and technical aspects of beam quality. Opt Quant Electron 24, S861–S864 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01588590
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01588590