Rays and Ray Envelopes within Stable Optical Resonators Containing Focusing Media

摘要: In stable resonators any given initially paraxial rays remain close to the axis of structure and are, in fact, confined within well-defined contours-the envelope ray system. Previously, envelopes empty had been found their form identified with variation spot size. This geometric optical approach is extended general resonators, comprising arbitrary arrangements lenses convergent or divergent inhomogeneous focusing media. An invariant quadratic involving parameters descriptive segments that result from a initial segment leads differential equation satisfied by portions resonator. A maximum-minimum problem for formulated solved. media function be periodically modulated. The period modulation depends only on properties medium; location relative maxima minima, as well ratio, both medium associated optics. special cases, results are compared available solutions corresponding electromagnetic problem. particularly simple resonator analyzed, characteristics correlated stability limits.