ABSTRACT
A decentered elliptic Gaussian beam propagating in a non-axially-symmetric optical system was discussed. Such beams are described using tensors. Gaussian beams of varying ellipticity can be used for beam shaping, that is, for producing elliptic laser beams with uniform cross-sectional intensity distributions. Elliptic beams can also be produced via an oblique incidence of an axially symmetric beam onto an optical element. The intensity patterns in Figure provide proof for the theoretical analysis: as the beam is being formed behind the diffractive optical element it acquires the inclination of 45°, with the entire pattern rotated by 90° for the far-field diffraction.
