Abstract

The construction and operation of a new optical phase plate assembly is described that takes the Fourier transform of an intensity image in white light. It consists of symmetrical wedges of birefringent crystals that induce an angle between the wave fronts of the polarized components of the output beam. The wave-front angle is shown to be linearly proportional to the angle of incidence. This is sufficient to generate the necessary phase factor for a Fourier transform.

© 1992 Optical Society of America

White-light Fourier transformer with low chromatic aberration

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