In this paper we discuss the theory of the internal conical refraction of c
oherent light beams. A mathematical description of the distribution of inte
nsity in the ring of Gaussian and Bessel-Gaussian beams (with an argument o
f the Bessel function being linear or quadratic in the transverse coordinat
e) internal conical refraction has been studied. Some numerical examples ar
e also illustrated. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights
reserved.