title: Hybrid lens beam waveguide.
abstract: An optical beam waveguide consisting of a central aperture and a surrounding lens-a hybrid lens guide-possesses some important advantages of both iris guides and lens guides. Compared to an iris guide, it has a lower loss, and for small curvatures, is less sensitive to bends. Also it is less subject to breakdown than a lens guide. A theoretical study is presented. The hybrid lens guide can be specified by four parameters; the loss is investigated as such effects are also discussed.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lit
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Van Rooy