Based on the common Hermite-Gaussian modes, a general class of orthonormal Hermite-Gaussian-type modes is introduced. Such modes can most easily be defined by means of their generating function. It is shown that these modes remain in their class of orthonormal Hermite-Gaussian-type modes, when they propagate through first-order optical systems. A propagation law for the generating function is formulated.
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Final publication in Optics Express
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-13-4-1107