Matrix formulation of axis-symmetric laser beams through a paraxial ABCD system containing hard-edged apertures: A comparative study

A matrix formulation is presented, which enables us to study the propagation of axis-symmetric beams through a paraxial optical ABCD system containing hard-edged aperture. Numerical calculation results of super-Gaussian beams passing through a multi-aperture-lens system are given to illustrate the advantage of the method. A comparison of the matrix formulation, complex Gaussian expansion and direct numerical integration of the Collins formula is made, where the propagation of apertured Laguerre-Gaussian beams is chosen as an illustrative example. It is shown that the matrix formulation provides satisfactory results in both Fraunhofer and Fresnel regions, and reduces the computational time greatly in comparison with the direct integration. However, this method is suited only to axis-symmetric optical beams and systems. By using the complex Gaussian expansion discrepancies exist in the near zone closer to the aperture, but usually its computational efficiency is higher than the matrix formulation.