The focusing properties of a so-called reflaxicon (a combination of a
diverging and a converging axicon) are studied both theoretically and
experimentally. Calculations of intensity distributions produced by th
is system are made by evaluating the Kirchhoff-Fresnel diffraction int
egral, first by means of an approximate technique, the stationary phas
e method, then by a more exact numerical method. The calculations are
presented for various planes along the axis of the axicons. The effect
s of the presence of the supporting mount of the axicons and of some i
mportant misalignments of the system on the distributions is also inve
stigated. Experimental results of actual intensity distributions produ
ced by focusing a near-fundamental Gaussian beam by such a system are
also presented and are seen to be in fair agreement with numerical cal
culations. Such calculations would be valuable in many applications fo
r predicting important characteristics (e.g., peak intensity, length o
f the focal line, degree of asymmetry) of the intensity distributions
formed by optical systems containing an axicon pair as the focusing co
mponent.