3-D Scaled Optical Fourier Transform - Diffraction Effects

摘要

Analogue Optical Signal Processing is a very important area in optics and central to it, is the implementation of the Optical Fourier Transform (OFT). There are many bulk optical arrangements for implementing the OFT however one which is particularly popular is the Scaled Optical Fourier Transform (SOFT) because it offers the user to the ability to change the size or scale of the output Fourier distribution. In this paper we examine the some of the practical limits introduced by the use of a square and circular apertured lens. We examine the phase deviations and provide a simple rule of thumb, which allows the cautious user to avoid some of the worst case errors arising due to diffraction.