Focal shift in optical waves with off-axis focus

Abstract

We present a formulation for a suitable description of the focal shift in optical waves that have an off-axis focus. This shift that is primarily produced along the chief axis is given in terms of the focal distance and depends only on a parameter that is named as the generalized Fresnel number. Any non-uniform, either truncated and non-apertured optical beam with off-axis focus may be considered.