Off-axis flat-topped multi-Gaussian beam and its propagation through paraxial optical system

Off-axis flat-topped multi-Gaussian beam is proposed as an extension of flat-topped multi-Gaussian beam. The electric field of off-axis flat-topped multi-Gaussian beam is expressed as a superposition of a series of off-axis Gaussian beams. Propagation formulae for off-axis flat-topped multi-Gaussian beam through aligned and misaligned optical system are derived. As a numerical example, propagation properties of off-axis flat-topped multi-Gaussian beam in free space and through a misaligned thin lens are discussed.