Gaussian optics

Gaussian optics is a theory that describes the behavior of light beams, particularly those that are nearly parallel and can be approximated as following a Gaussian distribution. This means that most of the light intensity is concentrated in the center of the beam, tapering off toward the edges. The theory helps in understanding how lenses and mirrors focus light, making it useful in designing optical devices like cameras and laser systems. By analyzing the shape and properties of these light beams, Gaussian optics aids in predicting how light will behave when interacting with different optical elements.