An analytically simple and computationally efficient Gaussian beam mode-decomposition approach to classical diffraction theory

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple, efficient Gaussian-beam-mode decomposition method for classical diffraction calculations, providing a new analytical approach that is validated against Kirchhoff's diffraction formula and offers computational benefits.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel Gaussian-beam-mode decomposition technique for diffraction, simplifying analysis and improving computational efficiency over traditional methods.

Findings

Accurately matches Kirchhoff's diffraction results

Offers a straightforward analytical framework

Provides computational advantages

Abstract

We present a method of Gaussian-beam-mode decomposition to calculate classical diffraction of optical beams by apertures. This method offers a entirely different approach to examine the classic problem. Although our method is based on a very straightforward setup, it is surprisingly effective. We validate our method by comparing its results with those of Kirchhoff's full diffraction formula. Not only does our method have a simple and organized analytical framework, it also offers significant computational advantage.