Modelling with higher-order modes

If you are not familiar with spatial Higher Order Modes (HOMs) then you should read the Higher-order spatial modes section of the manual. This will provide you with the background physics details for understanding the terms and examples in these pages.

These pages will focus on how to use the features of Finesse for modelling HOMs, links to the physics behind each feature are given where appropriate.

• Selecting the modes to model
  • Maximum TEM order
  • Selection method
  • Assigning to modes property
  • Including additional modes
  • A note on specifying mode indices explicitly
• Defining the modal basis
  • Using cavity objects
  • Defining manual beam parameters
• Creating and detecting mode mismatches
  • Defining a figure of merit
  • Creating a custom mismatch
  • Detecting mode mismatches
  • Trace priority
• Capturing beam images with camera objects
  • Detecting a single pixel
  • Capturing a full beam image
  • Producing animated beam images

The pages below focus on the non-simulation aspects of HOM modelling, e.g. using Finesse to perform arbitrary beam propagation and mode-matching analyses.

• Beam propagation
  • The ‘propagate_beam’ function
  • Symbolic beam propagation
  • Reverse beam propagation
• Computing arbitrary scattering matrices
  • Calculating coupling matrices via the Bayer-Helms formalism