This paper deals with phase gratings working in the paraxial domain. The profile of the optimum-efficiency beam multiplier with an arbitrary number of output diffraction orders is derived in an analytic form by exploiting methods from the calculus of variation. The output beams may be equi-intense or with arbitrary distribution of power. Numerical examples are given for different values of the ...

We adopt a multidomain pseudospectral method to analyze lamellar gratings for general conical diffraction from TE and TM diffractions. The validity and usefulness of this approach are demonstrated through normal metallic lossy and highly conductive lossless gratings. The developed method provides excellent numerical stability and convergence over commonly used rigorous couple wave analysis (RCW...

A Fourier-matching pseudospectral modal method [PSMM(f)] is developed for analyzing lamellar diffraction gratings or grating stacks. A Chebyshev pseudospectral method is first used to accurately calculate the eigenmodes of the grating layers, and then the Fourier coefficients are matched at the interfaces between the layers. Compared with an existing pseudospectral modal method based on point m...

This paper has two major aims; to show a method for making image deblurring masks from simple Ronchi ruling diffraction gratings, and second, to show a simple means for introducing noise-reducing redundancy into an optical processing system when the processing is a one-dimensional operation, as in the case of deconvolution of a one-dimensionally blurred image. Yu has described a method for intr...

The realization of ultra low-loss dielectric reflection gratings with diffraction efficiencies between 7% and 0.02% is presented. By placing the grating beneath the highly reflective layerstack scattering was significantly reduced. This concept allows the all-reflective coupling of high laser radiation to high finesse cavities, thereby circumventing thermal effects caused by absorption in the s...

We report on the optical characterization of an ultrahigh diffraction efficiency grating in a first-order Littrow configuration. The apparatus used was an optical cavity built from the grating under investigation and an additional high-reflection mirror. The measurement of the cavity finesse provided precise information about the grating's diffraction efficiency and its optical loss. We measure...

A few years ago, diffraction of atoms by double slits and gratings was achieved for the first time, and standard optical wave-theory provided an excellent description of the experiments. More recently, diffraction of weakly bound molecules and even clusters has been observed. Due to their size and to possible breakup processes optical wave-theory is no longer adequate and a more sophisticated a...

Multiplexed volume Bragg gratings can be applied to many types of broad- and narrowband spectral systems. However, there are often deleterious side effects to combining several gratings into a single holographic optical element, including loss of efficiency in diffracted waves of interest and the introduction of spurious waves. Design of these spectral systems requires analysis methods that are...

A new technique of making holograms with non-coherent light has been demonstrated using continuousspectrum white light zirconium arc source. Such a technique, employing diffraction gratings as beam splitters and beam deflectors, allows easy control of the modulation transfer function so as to produce low-pas s . band-pass or high-pass characteristics by simply changing the position of either on...

We have fabricated electrically switchable holographic gratings, using Polaroid Corporation's DMP-128 photopolymer filled with the nematic liquid crystal E7. It is shown that a coupled-wave theory that includes the effects of the birefringence of the liquid crystal must be used to explain the diffraction properties of these anisotropic volume gratings. Furthermore, a detailed comparison of theo...