Asymptotic representation of the boundary-diffraction wave for a three-dimensional Gaussian beam incident upon a Kirchhoff half-screen

Abstract

Diffraction of a Gaussian beam with a circular spot size normally incident upon a Kirchhoff half-screen is investigated based on the boundary-diffraction-wave (BDW) theory. The evaluation of the boundary-diffraction wave by the steepest-descent method yields the uniform asymptotic representation of the total diffracted field consisting of the geometrical-optics and diffraction components. The use of complex rays to construct the diffraction component is also shown by applying the geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD) to the problem. Comparison of the representation of the diffraction component by the BDW theory with that by the GTD gives the diffraction coefficient for the Gaussian beam that ensures the continuity of the diffracted field at the shadow boundary.