Self-Fourier functions and coherent laser combination

The Gaussian and Comb functions are generally quoted as being the two basic functions that are their own Fourier transforms. In 1991, Caola presented a recipe for generating functions that are their own Fourier transforms by symmetrizing any transformable function and then adding its own Fourier transform to it. In this letter, we present a new method for generating a set of functions that are exactly their own Fourier transforms, and which have direct application to laser cavity design for a wide variety of applications. The generated set includes the Gaussian and Comb functions as special cases and forms a continuous bridge of functions between them. The new generating method uses the Gaussian and Comb functions as bases and does not rely on the Fourier operator itself. This self-Fourier function promises to be particularly useful in high-power laser design through coherent laser beam combination. Although these results are presented in a single dimension as with a linear array, the results are equally valid in two dimensions.