Diffraction Propagation

The theory and methodology of diffraction propagation is well understood and widely detailed in available literature.

The methods used in OpticStudio are based upon these references:

Goodman, Joseph W., Introduction to Fourier Optics, McGraw-Hill, New York (1968).

Lawrence, George N. "Optical Modeling", in Applied Optics and Optical Engineering, Volume 11, R. R. Shannon and J. C. Wyant, eds., Academic, New York (1992).

Only the material relevant to using the physical optics propagation feature in OpticStudio will be summarized here.

Next:

• Representation of the Electric Field
• The Fresnel Number
• Angular Spectrum Propagation
• Fresnel Diffraction
• Selecting the Correct Propagator
• Fraunhofer Diffraction