Propagation and focusing of Bessel-Gauss, generalized Bessel-Gauss, and modified Bessel-Gauss beams

The propagation of Bessel-Gauss, generalized Bessel-Gauss, and modified Bessel-Gauss beams, for which the exact form of the optical fields is known, is analyzed according to the approximate theory developed previously by the authors [J. Opt. Sec. Am. 17, 1021 (2000)]. Approximations are developed for the fields themselves that are highly accurate and yet are simple in their form and physical description. A set of simple equations is developed, which directly give the parameters describing an image beam following passage through a perfect lens of focal length f, starting with any of the above-mentioned object beams. Ray propagation for these types of beams is described, and it is specifically noted that the intensity maxima do not follow straight paths, while the auxiliary F(rho, z) function in fact does follow straight paths. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.