Re: Resolution with Gaussian point spread function

On Jun 24, 5:23 pm, spasmous2 <spasm...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
If you have a Gaussian PSF, then how can you determine resolution
(resolvability) using the Raleigh criterion?

You can't, for the very reason you state below.

As I understand the
Raleigh criterion says the maximum of one PSF must sit on top of the
minimum of the neighbor for them to be "just" resolved. This is OK for
a sinc-like PSF but what about a Gaussian PSF which doesn't even have
a minimum?

A good criteria for Gaussian beams (assuming equal waist sizes) is
that their centers are separated by more than 1 waist. That will give
two distinct maxima in the overall intensity distribution. If the
separation is 1 waist or less, there is just 1 intensity maximum.

Regards,

Mark

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