Computer-Simulated Fresnel Diffraction Using the Fourier Transform

  • Authors:

  • Seymour Trester

  • Affiliations:

  • -

  • Venue:
  • Computing in Science and Engineering
  • Year:
  • 1999

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Abstract

The study of Fresnel diffraction is an integral part of any course in physical optics. Fresnel diffraction occurs when an aperture is illuminated with coherent light and the resulting diffraction pattern appears on a screen a finite distance from the aperture. In general, the techniques found in standard optics texts to compute the intensity of the diffraction pattern as a function of position on the screen are limited and aperture-specific. For example, the Fresnel diffraction due to a circular aperture is usually treated in terms of Fresnel zones, whereas the diffraction due to a straight edge is calculated using the Cornu spiral.