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glossary

Single mode fiber optic: fiber optic enabling the propagation of only one transverse mode ( the fundamental mode )
Waist: position along the propagation axis where a laser beam has the smallest size
Elliptical beam: a beam in which « equi-intensity » curves in a plane perpendicular to the propagation axis are elliptical
Spatial mode: specific spatial distribution of the electromagnetic field in a plane perpendicular to the propagation axis of a light wave possibly emitted by a laser or possibly propagating in a waveguide ( like, for instance, a fiber optic ) - also called transverse mode
Fiber optic: long cylindrical optical component guiding light
Magnification: transverse magnification ( in the calculation and tutorial pages )
Coupling efficiency ( fiber optics ): ratio between the optical power emitted by a source and the optical power effectively injected in a fiber optics