Open AccessGaussian pulsed beams with arbitrary speed
Author(s) -
Stefano Longhi
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/opex.12.000935
Subject(s) - physics , paraxial approximation , gaussian , superluminal motion , optics , scalar (mathematics) , gaussian beam , inertial frame of reference , light beam , classical mechanics , beam (structure) , mathematical analysis , mathematics , quantum mechanics , geometry
It is shown that the homogeneous scalar wave equation under a generalized paraxial approximation admits of Gaussian beam solutions that can propagate with an arbitrary speed, either subluminal or superluminal, in free-space. In suitable moving inertial reference frames, such solutions correspond either to standard stationary Gaussian beams or to "temporal" diffracting Gaussian fields.