Abstract

The analysis of the modes of a spherical sector resonator reveals that with a simple change of variable the results of previous Fabry–Perot mode calculations of cylindrical resonators can be applied. The focusing action is shown to be equivalent to that of a corresponding cylindrical resonator and an associated lens. The diffraction limit at the focus for the lowest order mode is shown to be approximately the Fraunhofer diffraction limit of a focused uniformly illuminated circular aperture. In an appendix, a new method is presented for solving the integral equation for the mode description.

© 1964 Optical Society of America

Analysis of Optical Resonators Involving Focusing Elements

Stuart A. Collins
Appl. Opt. 3(11) 1263-1275 (1964)

Resonant Modes of Optic Interferometer Cavities. I. Plane-Parallel End Reflectors*

Leonard Bergstein and Harry Schachter
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 54(7) 887-903 (1964)

A Scanning Spherical Mirror Interferometer for Spectral Analysis of Laser Radiation

R. L. Fork, D. R. Herriott, and H. Kogelnik
Appl. Opt. 3(12) 1471-1484 (1964)

Off-Axis Paths in Spherical Mirror Interferometers

D. Herriott, H. Kogelnik, and R. Kompfner
Appl. Opt. 3(4) 523-526 (1964)

Beat Frequencies Between Modes of a Concave-Mirror Optical Resonator

John P. Goldsborough
Appl. Opt. 3(2) 267-275 (1964)