SELF-DIFFRACTION OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL LIGHT BEAMS WITH DIFFERENT INTENSITY DISTRIBUTIONS
Presented theoretical results of the comparison of the propagation in a linear isotropic medium in a free regime of two-dimensional light beams: Gaussian, square and circular super-Gaussian beams. Shown in detail the dynamics of the change in the shape of light beams during their propagation in a linear isotropic medium. It is established that there exist values of the medium thickness for which a significant deformation of the super-Gaussian beam is characteristic, in connection with this additional self-focusing of super-Gaussian beams is observed, additional self-focusing is not observed for Gaussian beams. Shown differences in the propagation of Gaussian and super-Gaussian 2D light beams, and the advantages and disadvantages of using square and cylindrical light beams with a super-Gaussian intensity distribution are noted.