A self-consistent field analysis of spherical-mirror Fabry-Perot resonators

The integral equation for the field distributions of the resonant modes in a spherical-mirror Fabry-Perot resonator is solved in the limit of infinite Fresnel numbers. With this approximation the electric field is described in terms of Hermite-Gaussian functions and the resonance condition is obtained. The variations of nodal surface radii and characteristic mode dimensions are examined. A new definition of incremental mode volume leads to a minimum volume at a mirror spacing to mirror radius ratio of 1.5.