Propagation properties of vectorial elliptical Gaussian beams beyond the paraxial approximation

Abstract

Starting from the vectorial Rayleigh diffraction integral formula and without using the far-field approximation, a solution of the wave equation beyond the paraxial approximation is found, which represents vectorial non-paraxial elliptical Gaussian beams in free space. The far-field expressions for non-paraxial Gaussian beams and elliptical Gaussian beams can be regarded as special cases treated in this paper. Some basic propagation properties of vectorial non-paraxial elliptical Gaussian beams, including the irradiance distribution, phase term, beam widths and divergence angles are studied. Numerical results are given and illustrated.