basic paraxial optics toolkit

A set of paraxial optics functions for beam propagation and modal decomposition. Numerous examples.

This toolkit has two main purposes.

1. Decomposition and visualization of paraxial beams in Hermite-Gaussian and Laguerre-Gaussian bases. (These functions are located in the subdirectory "transverse.")

2. Propagation of such beams through optical systems including two-mirror fabry-perot cavities. (These functions are located in the subdirectory "axial.")

There is a smattering of other stuff, including the representation of an apodized (clipped) Gaussian beam in terms of its asymptotic expansion (giving Airy patterns.)

All the functions have comments and headers that should enable interested persons to use them. There is also a set of examples demonstrating the basic capabilities.