Diffraction of Gaussian Laser Beams by a Semi-Infinite Plane

Theoretical and experimental aspects of the diffraction of gaussian laser beams by the straight edge bounding an opaque plane are investigated. Theoretical analysis is based upon the Kirchhoff scalar wave theory in the Fresnel limit, assuming an incident electromagnetic field having spatial amplitude and phase variation appropriate to a fundamental-mode gaussian beam. Experimental observation consisting of irradiance as a function of position is in good agreement with this theory. Both theoretical and experimental results are found to depend strongly on gaussian-beam parameters.