Open AccessResolution limitations for tailored picture-generating freeform surfaces
Author(s) -
Susanne Zwick,
Robert Feßler,
J. Jegorov,
Gunther Notni
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.20.003642
Subject(s) - optics , diffraction , resolution (logic) , fresnel diffraction , fresnel number , ptychography , fresnel zone , limit (mathematics) , rayleigh scattering , image resolution , physical optics , plane (geometry) , physics , computer science , geometry , mathematics , artificial intelligence , mathematical analysis
Picture-generating freeform surfaces are able to generate a picture in a defined plane by incoherent beam shaping comparable to illumination purposes. No classical imaging is performed. Therefore the classical Rayleigh criterion of the diffraction limit cannot be applied. In this paper, we investigate the physical light formation of picture-generating freeform surfaces using Fresnel-Huygens-based simulations. A criterion for the diffraction limit was found. The resolution of such surfaces is significantly inferior to the resolution of classical imaging systems. However, in many cases, such systems are limited by the geometrical resolution. The influence of those two limitations were examined and a maximum of resolution, being limited by diffraction and by geometrical parameters can be found.