Comparison between a super Gaussian and a "true" top hat

Andrew Stockham; John G. Smith

doi:10.1117/12.796074

11 September 2008 Comparison between a super Gaussian and a "true" top hat

Andrew Stockham, John G. Smith

Proceedings Volume 7062, Laser Beam Shaping IX; 70620I (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.796074
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2008, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Near-field beam shaping optics, also called beam transformers, re-map an input Gaussian profile to a top hat profile. The top hat profile typically takes on a functional form such as a super Gaussian or a Fermi-Dirac function. The main difference between a super Gaussian and a true top hat is the presence of rounded edges. The higher the order of the super Gaussian, the sharper the profile. Sharper profiles tend to result in more diffraction effects while softer edges tend to propagate further with a uniform distribution. A balance has to be determined that may depend heavily on the application of the beam shaper with regards to performance parameters such as efficiency within the profile and the uniformity of the flat top based on the edge shape of the functional form of the top hat profile. The paper will explore different figures of merit for various functional forms that a Gaussian is typically re-mapped into and compared with that of a perfect top hat with infinitely sharp shoulders.

Citation Download Citation

Andrew Stockham and John G. Smith "Comparison between a super Gaussian and a "true" top hat", Proc. SPIE 7062, Laser Beam Shaping IX, 70620I (11 September 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.796074

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