Gouy Gaussian-Beam Phase
See focused light acquire an extra phase shift as its wavefronts pass the waist.
Free theory articleSee focused light acquire an extra phase shift as its wavefronts pass the waist.
Concept & interpretation
This module explores the Gouy phase shift in paraxial Hermite-Gaussian beams. The Gouy phase is given by psi = (N+1)atan(xi), where xi=z/zR and N is the total transverse mode order. The reduced curvature is xi/(1+xi^2).
Experiment
Use the interactive tool to explore phase shifts:
- Navigate to the Gouy Gaussian-Beam Phase interactive module.
- Set Mode order to 1 and Reduced position to 1.
- Note the Gouy phase radians becomes 1.5707963267948966 radians, doubling the fundamental mode phase shift.