Wigner distribution function display of complex 1D signals

Three optical methods are proposed for the production of the Wigner distribution function (WDF). This function offers an alternative way of representing signals. The WDF depends simultaneously on time (or space) and on frequency. For the production of the WDF we distinguish between real signals, holograms of complex signals and truly complex signals. An important special class of signals are pure-phase functions. The WDF of such phase functions is very useful for testing optical phase structures. Our setups can also be employed for the production of the ambiguity function.