Guidelines and pitfalls in characterization of transverse mode instabilities

The analysis of TMI has advanced over the last decade, with added observation parameters depending on the complexity of the experimental system. Increasing levels of information have been extracted, from camera images in the beginning over modal decomposition, time trace and frequency analysis, on towards bi directional measurements at multiple system positions and separation of spectral components. We will give an overview of the evolution of TMI analysis for different model systems and discuss the applicability and the additional insight that can be gained from advanced observation methods.