Effects of third-order aberrations on the irradiance of self-image

We examine the effects of third-order aberrations exerted on the irradiance of image that is observable in a coherent self-imaging system. Both spherical aberration and astigmatism degrade the visibility of the image of a sinusoidal-type grating as well as blur the outline of the image of a rectangular-type grating. Coma laterally shifts the image of a sinusoidal-type grating on the image plane as well as changes a rectangular-type pattern into an asymmetrically blurred pattern. According to our analysis, the self-image of a high-density grating with a period of two times the optical wavelength is not at all affected by spherical aberration. In general a self-imaging system can always be corrected for astigmatism by shifting the image plane in its normal direction. We show that the self-image with defect can be well explained by taking the third-order aberrations and the focus-shift aberration into consideration.     

Phase-Space Analysis of Wavefront Coding Imaging Systems

We explore the use of the Radon-Wigner transform, which is associated with the fractional Fourier transform of the pupil function, for determining the point spread function （PSF） of an incoherent defocused optical system. Then we introduce these phase-space tools to analyse the wavefront coding imaging system. It is shown that the shape of the PSF for such a system is highly invariant to the defocus-related aberrations except for a lateral shift. The optical transfer function of this system is also investigated briefly from a new understanding of ambiguity function.     

The modeling and the optimization of a grating optical low-pass filter

Through the one-dimensional analysis of the diffraction of a phase grating, we calculated the optical transfer function (OTF) of a phase grating. By a 0th-order approximation of the optical transfer function, we analyzed the feasibility of using it as a spatial frequency filter and obtained the structure of a grating for the optimum-filtering characteristics. The OTF of a phase grating as an optical low-pass filter is optimal when the incoming light is equally divided into three beams. The distance of those beams must be equal to the pixel size. The theoretical development was verified through an experiment. Received: 21 May 2001 / Revised version: 16 July 2001 / Published online: 15 October 2001     

光学系统的低对比分辨本领和象差的公差

具有大象差的光学系统象差公差问题一直还未得到很好解决。本文中提出以低对比分辨本领作为光学系统的质量指标,并将光学系统的传递函数近似表示为正交多项式之和,象差任意大小的光学系统的最佳校正方案和公差之值就可以求出。在小象差情况下,所得的结果与Strehl判断的结果基本一致。 关键词：     

Fourth order correction to a Gaussian beam focused with a parabolic index lens

We formulate the fourth order correction to a paraxial Gaussian beam propagated along the axis of symmetry of a parabolic index lens. First we examine the evolution of a complex-source-point spherical wave (equivalent paraxially to a Gaussian beam) through the lens in a two-dimensional xz plane. Taking into account the terms of up to fourth order in aperture variables, we find a ray-optical solution to the exit beam that is represented in terms of aberration function. We also analyze the effect of the lens aberration exerted on the degradation in the quality of a Gaussian beam. The fourth order-corrected wave function derived here may be used to evaluate the quality of a Gaussian beam focused with a parabolic index lens. Further it may be applied to the case of an orthogonal system in which the index variations are different in the xz and yz planes.     

Apparent transfer function for partially coherent optical information processing

In this paper, the general formulations of the apparent transfer function for the partially coherent optical processor will be derived. Although these formulas show that the apparent transfer function is dependent upon the degree of spatial and temporal coherence, there is actually more variability in the spatial coherence. We note that the obtained formulas may also be used as a criterion in the selection of source size and spectral bandwidth of an incoherent light source. Thus a specific optical information processing operation can be carried out with an incoherent source.     

The filtering characteristics of simple grating optical low-pass filters

We studied the characteristics of a two-dimensional grating optical low-pass filter (GOLF) theoretically and experimentally. The modulation transfer function (MTF) of an optical system that consists of a lens and a GOLF is theoretically derived by taking all orders of diffracted beams into consideration. The MTFs of a two-phase chess-board-type GOLF and a three-phase GOLF were calculated for various phase differences and compared with that of a birefringent low-pass filter (BLF). The three-phase GOLF with nine center beams of equal strength removes most moiré fringes, but the resolution degradation is severe compared to the BLF. The two-phase GOLF with a phase difference of 180°, which is similar to the BLF in term of beam distribution, has a medium characteristic somewhere between those of the three-phase GOLF and the BLF. Samples of two GOLFs are made and experimented on by attaching them to a digital camera. The experimental result coincides with the theoretical development. Received: 31 October 2001 / Revised version: 4 March 2002 / Published online: 2 May 2002     

First-order aberration of a misfocused self-imaging system

We analyze the characteristics of a self-imaging system that appear across a misfocused image plane. We approach this problem from the point of view of aberration theory. First, we derive the aberration functions (corresponding to several self-imaging rays of different orders) which are linear in a small shift of focus, and then we examine their roles in the amplitude spectra of misfocused self-images. We show that the aberration of the mth-order self-imaging ray is responsible for a lateral shift of the image amplitude component of frequency m/Mp, where M is the magnification of the system and p is the fundamental period of an object grating. We also analyze the role of wavefront aberrations in the image irradiance as an observable quantity. We then show that the theoretical estimation of irradiance of the aberrated image is in good agreement with the experiment and the focus-shift aberration can exert a severe effect on the irradiance spectrum of image in a complicated way.     

Optical transfer function of an optical system with a vortex phase mask in the presence of primary aberrations

The impact of primary aberrations on the optical transfer function of an optical system with a vortex phase mask has been investigated in detail. The optical transfer function of such a system becomes negative in a certain frequency range even in the absence of aberrations, a feature different from the case of an optical system in which center of the point spread function is bright.     

Laser dye stability. Part 2

The Zernike polynomials are orthogonal functions defined on the unit circle, which have been used primarily in the diffraction theory of optical aberrations. A summary of their principal properties is given. It is shown that the polynomials, which are closely related to the general spherical harmonics, are especially useful in numerical calculations. In particular, by using the polynomials as a basis to represent the commonly encountered functions of optical theory, it is often possible to avoid numerical quadrature and computations are reduced to the simple manipulation of expansion coefficients.     

Phase contrast, phase retrieval and aberration balancing in shift-invariant linear imaging systems

We treat the problems of phase-contrast image formation, deterministic phase retrieval and aberration balancing, in the imaging of weak objects using two-dimensional shift-invariant linear imaging systems. Three classes of model sample are considered: weak phase objects, weak phase-amplitude objects and single-material weak phase-amplitude objects. For each class of sample we show how the various aberration coefficients, which characterise a given imaging system, contribute to the structure of the associated phase-contrast image. The corresponding inverse problem, of obtaining a closed-form expression for the input wave-field given one or more aberrated phase-contrast images of the same, is then examined. Two sample applications are considered: analyser-crystal phase-contrast imaging of weak objects using hard X-rays, and Zernike-type phase-contrast imaging. We close with a discussion of how coherent and incoherent aberrations may be “balanced” against one another, briefly mentioning the applications of this idea to both “deblur by defocus” and proximity-corrected X-ray lithography.     

Optimal key mask design for optical encryption based on joint transform correlator architecture

We examine perfect recovery in the optical encryption system based on joint transform correlator architecture, which requires the key mask to be space-limited and phase-only in the frequency domain. Accordingly, a discrete sinc function interpolation is used to generate a binary phase difference mask for image encryption and decryption. Furthermore, the optimal binary phase difference mask is derived from the interpolation process best approximating the ideal sinc function interpolation. The simulation results confirm better recovery of the decrypted image for applying the proposed key masks to the optical encryption system. Especially, the optimal binary phase difference mask significantly enhances the recovery performance.     

Analyzing wavelength behavior of a cubic phase mask imaging system based on modulation transfer function

The wavefront coding technology is an effectively method for extending the depth of field. However, the phase delayed by the phase mask changes with light wavelength, and the chromatic aberration is caused by chromatic dispersion of the optical elements. The modulation transfer function (MTF) of the cubic phase mask (CPM) system is derived with considering the axial chromatic aberration and optical path difference variation with wavelength, and the wavelength behavior of CPM system is analyzed in details. We yield that the MTF is approximately wavelength invariant within a certain frequency bandwidth, and the bandwidth is nearly inverse proportional to wavelength and varies with axial chromatic aberration. The effect induced by dispersion of the CPM material is very weak. If the CPM system is illuminated by wideband spectral light and the ACA exists, then the frequency bandwidth may become narrower than the monochromatic case, and the position of image sensor can be relocated to balance frequency bandwidth among all wavelengths.     

Coherence function analysis of the higher-order aberrations of the human eye

We measured the wavefront aberrations of the eyes of five subjects with a Shack-Hartmann sensor sampling at 21.2 Hz and decomposed the measurements into Zernike aberration terms up to and including the fifth radial order. Coherence function analysis was used to determine the common frequency components between the aberrations within subjects. We found the results to be highly subject dependent. The coherence values were typically <0.4. Possible reasons for this are discussed. Coherence function analysis is a useful tool that can be used in future investigations to determine correlations between the aberration dynamics of the eye and other physiological mechanisms.     

Coherent imaging of extended objects

When used with coherent light, optical imaging systems are inherently unable to reproduce both the amplitude and the phase of a two-dimensional field distribution. This is because their impulse response function varies slowly from point to point, a property known as non-isoplanatism. For sufficiently small objects, this usually results in a phase distortion and has no impact on the measured intensity. Here, we show that the intensity distribution can be dramatically distorted when extended objects are imaged. We illustrate the problem using two simple examples: the pinhole camera and the thin lens. The effects predicted by our theoretical analysis are confirmed by experimental observations.     

混合复消色差透镜组的设计原理

通过对混合复消色差透镜组的像差分析导其结构参数的求解方程，根据计算机模拟结果发现，二元光学元件以正透镜为基底和以负透镜为基底时单色像差状况大体相当，但以正透镜为基底时色球差要小得多。     

Correlation between Post-LASIK Starburst Symptom and Ocular Wavefront Aberrations

Monochromatic aberrations in post laser in-situ keratomileusis （LASIK） eyes are measured. The data are categorized into reference group and starburst group according to the visual symptoms. Statistic analysis has been made to find the correlation between the ocular wavefront aberrations and the starburst symptom. The rms aberrations of the 3rd and 4th orders for the starburst group are significantly larger than those for the reference group. The starburst symptom shows a strong correlation with vertical coma, total coma, spherical aberrations. For 3-mm pupil size and 5.8-mm pupil size, the modulation transfer function （MTF） of the starburst group are lower than those of the reference group, but their visual acuities are close. MTF and PSF analyses are made for two groups, and the results are consistent with the statistical analysis, which means the difference between the two groups is mainly due to the third- and fourth-order Zernike aberrations.     

Influence of Misalignment on High-Order Aberration Correction for Normal Human Eyes

Although a compensation device can correct aberrations of human eyes, the effect will be degraded by its misalignment, especially for high-order aberration correction. We calculate the positioning tolerance of correction device for high-order aberrations, and within what degree the correcting effect is better than low-order aberration （defocus and astigmatism） correction. With fixed certain misalignment within the positioning tolerance, we calculate the residual wavefront rms aberration of the first-6 to first-35 terms along with the 3rd-Sth terms of aberrations corrected, and the combined first-13 terms of aberrations are also studied under the same quantity of misalignment. However, the correction effect of high-order aberrations does not meliorate along with the increase of the high-order terms under some misalignment, moreover, some simple combined terms correction can achieve similar result as complex combinations. These results suggest that it is unnecessary to correct too much the terms of high-order aberrations which are difficult to accomplish in practice, and gives confidence to correct high-order aberrations out of the laboratory.     

Near-Field Optical Transfer Function for Far-Field Super-Resolution Imaging

The far-field superlens based on surface plasmon polaritons （SPP） has shown great application potential, but it is difficult and time-consuming to reconstruct the far-field image. We derive a near-field optical transfer function （NOTF） of a silver slab and analyse its validity so that accurate information of nano-seale object in the near-field can be computed rapidly. The NOTF is helpful not only for analysing the super-resolution imaging process in far-field, but also for providing a track to describe the transmission of optical information from near-field to far-field by using the optical transfer functions theorv only.     

特殊整流罩窗口的非对称像差研究

分析了居中球形整流罩的波像差和偏心球形整流罩的波像差。为了分析共形整流罩的一般像差特性,建立了不同类型的整流罩模型,重点分析了像散和彗差,讨论了一阶和五阶像差,并与球形整流罩和偏心球形整流罩的相应像差做了比较。分析了长宽比、边缘厚度与顶点厚度比对像差的影响。