ETALONs for pure and composite transversal modes

摘要

This day and age in the laser community we find a couple of coexisting and simultaneously competing approaches for the characterization of spatial laser beam properties. Around the well-established Method of Second Order Moments, described in full detail in the new ISO-Standard 11146/1-2-3, such methods are arranged like determination of Wigner Distribution Function, Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor or decomposition of the beam into its transversal modal components. Each of mentioned methods has its own amenities, depending on specific demands and boundary conditions. To compare these approaches with each other with very high accuracy, it would be extremely helpful to have access to a set of ETALONs for different pure or composite transversal modes. Diffractive Optical Elements (DOEs) open a promising possibility to generate and to establish such ETALONs working later in different labs and under different conditions in a very reliable and reproducible manner. We present first results of considerations about designing, manufacturing and testing ETALONs for pure and for composite Gauss-Hermite modes.