Irradiance-moments characterization of off-axis Gaussian beam combinations by means of the Wigner distribution function

The irradiance-moments characterization of off-axis Gaussian beam combinations is presented in use of the Wigner distribution function (WDF). Analytical expressions for the propagation through an optical paraxial ABCD system, beam propagation factor ( M 2 factor), beam width, far field divergence angle and kurtosis parameter of the resultant beam are derived and illustrated with specific numerical examples. It is reexamined that a flat-topped irradiance profile of the resultant beam can be achieved at a certain plane by appropriately choosing beamlet parameters. As compared with previous work, our results show the advantage of using the WDF and irradiance-moments methods.