在光学中，高斯光束（英语：Gaussian beam）是横向电场以及辐照度分布近似满足高斯函数的电磁波光束。许多激光都近似满足高斯光束的条件，在这种情况里，激光在光谐振腔里以TEM₀₀波模（横向基模）传播。当它在满足近衍射极限的镜片中发生折射时，高斯光束会变换成另一种不同参数的高斯光束，因此，高斯光束是激光光学里一种方便、广泛应用的模型。

描述高斯光束的数学函数是亥姆霍兹方程的一个近轴近似解（属于小角近似的一种）。这个解具有高斯函数的形式，代表了光束中电场分量的复振幅。尽管电磁波的传播包括电场和磁场两部分，研究其中任一个场，就足以描述波在传播时的性质。

In optics, a Gaussian beam is a beam of monochromatic electromagnetic radiation whose transverse magnetic and electric field amplitude profiles are given by the Gaussian function; this also implies a Gaussian intensity (irradiance) profile. This fundamental (or TEM₀₀) transverse gaussian mode describes the intended output of most (but not all) lasers, as such a beam can be focused into the most concentrated spot. When such a beam is refocused by a lens, the transverse phase dependence is altered; this results in a different Gaussian beam. The electric and magnetic field amplitude profiles along any such circular Gaussian beam (for a given wavelength and polarization) are determined by a single parameter: the so-called waist w₀. At any position z relative to the waist (focus) along a beam having a specified w₀, the field amplitudes and phases are thereby determined as detailed below.