Catastrophe theory and caustics of radially symmetric beams

Abstract

The work is devoted to the study of the caustics of radial beams. Analytical expressions for caustic surfaces of wave fronts created by radially symmetric diffractive optical elements are found. The result is presented in a curvilinear coordinate system consistent with the caustic surface. An asymptotic representation of the Kirchhoff integral near the optical axis is obtained, ensuring the correct calculations in the non-paraxial case.

Keywords

• catastrophe theory
• caustics
• radially symmetric beams
• asymptotic representation of the Kirchhoff integral