Abstract

Although equations are available for predicting Fraunhofer diffraction by many obstacles or openings, they are of limited value for the inverse problem, deducing diffractor geometry from observed diffracted light. Instead of trying to invert these equations, they were used to survey the functional relations between diffractor geometry and observable patterns. Then intuitive methods were used to obtain simple approximate expressions for determining the size and general shape of simple diffractors from diffracted light. It is found that some complex diffractors diffract almost like simple diffractors of equivalent dimensions. The results reveal some of the potential capabilities and limitations of diffracted light as a source of information about unknown diffracting systems.

© 1978 Optical Society of America

Aberrations of diffracted wave fields

James E. Harvey and Roland V. Shack
Appl. Opt. 17(18) 3003-3009 (1978)

Particle sizing by forward lobe scattered intensity-ratio technique: errors introduced by applying diffraction theory in the Mie regime

S. Boron and B. Waldie
Appl. Opt. 17(10) 1644-1648 (1978)

Comparison of various diffraction formulas in a study of open resonators

A. Consortini and F. Pasqualetti
Appl. Opt. 17(16) 2519-2523 (1978)

Fourier optical approach to the extraction of morphological parameters from the diffraction pattern of biological cells

Bernhard Türke, Günter Seger, Manfred Achatz, and Werner v. Seelen
Appl. Opt. 17(17) 2754-2761 (1978)

Experimental determinations of Mueller scattering matrices for nonspherical particles

Roger J. Perry, Arlon J. Hunt, and Donald R. Huffman
Appl. Opt. 17(17) 2700-2710 (1978)