Generalised ABCD matrix treatment for laser resonators and beam propagation

Abstract A generalised ABCD matrix treatment for laser resonators and beam propagation is developed for computer programming. In this treatment, imaginary parts are introduced into the matrixes for all optical elements, and the beam quality factor M 2 and the index of the medium are also taken into account. When the imaginary parts of the complex matrix are zero and the beam quality factor M 2 and medium index are unity, the stated method is transformed back into the more classic ABCD matrix format in which the fundamental-mode Gaussian beam transmits through real elements in the vacuum. Based on this method, laser resonator software is realised by the VB programme language. The software can be used to analyse and design stable/unstable standing/travelling cavities, phase-conjugate cavities and beam transformations.