Abstract

A generalized beam matrix method is used to investigate the mode structure of astigmatic misaligned optical systems with loss or gain. In these optical systems the usual real-argument polynomial-Gaussian beams are not eigenfunctions, and off-axis complex-argument polynomial beams must be used. New beam transformations for these complex-argument modes are reported. Stability criteria are developed, and mode selection in laser resonators that contain tilted, displaced, or curved complex optical elements is discussed.

© 1996 Optical Society of America

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