Ray-optical analysis of unstable resonators with spherical mirrors

Abstract

A previously developed ray-optical method for determining the eigenvalues and eigenmodes of unstable resonators with circular strip mirrors is here applied to spherical mirrors. The results obtained in this manner agree with those of Butts and Avizonis who extended to the three-dimensional case the postulative procedure employed by Horwitz for the strip configuration. The individual and collective treatment of rays in the analysis provides a physical basis that should be applicable also to more complicated resonator structures.