Published In

Journal of the Optical Society of America A: Optics, Image Science and Vision

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-1994

Subjects

Optics -- Mathematics, Laser beams -- Propagation, Matrices

Abstract

The reverse theorem that governs backward propagation through optical systems represented by transfer matrices is examined for various matrix theories. We extend several reverse theorems to allow for optical systems represented by matrices that may or may not be unimodular and that may be 2 × 2 or take on an augmented 3 × 3 form. As an example, we use the 3 × 3 form of the reverse theorem to study a laser with intracavity misaligned optics. It is shown that, by tilting one of the laser's mirrors, we can align the laser output arbitrarily, and the mirror tilt angle is calculated.

Description

This paper was published in Journal of the Optical Society of America A and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of OSA. The paper can be found at the following URL on the OSA website: http://www.opticsinfobase.org/josaa/abstract.cfm?URI=josaa-11-10-2633. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/8247

Share

COinS