Open AccessA diffractive mechanism of focusing
Author(s) -
William B. Case,
E. Sadurní,
Wolfgang P. Schleich
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.20.027253
Subject(s) - paraxial approximation , optics , diffraction , physics , ptychography , scalar field , spiral (railway) , wavelength , scalar (mathematics) , wave packet , measure (data warehouse) , phase (matter) , classical mechanics , quantum mechanics , geometry , mathematical analysis , beam (structure) , mathematics , database , computer science
We examine the free time evolution of a rectangular one dimensional Schrödinger wave packet of constant phase during the early stage which in the paraxial wave approximation is identical to the diffraction of a scalar field from a single slit. Our analysis, based on numerics and the Cornu spiral reveals considerable intricate detail behavior in the density and phase of the wave. We also point out a concentration of the intensity that occurs on axis and propose a new measure of width that expresses this concentration.