User-friendly computer-aided design tools for the implementation of diffractive optical elements may on the one hand influence the acceptance of diffractive optics in industry and on the other help to simplify research work in this area. In the present paper we describe the software system DIGIOPT which was designed to fulfil our demands on the design of paraxial diffractive elements for optical information processing applications.
The methods to generate intensity signals using diffractive elements bear importance for optical signal processing and printing applications. In principle, the diffractive element (DE) can be viewed as optical memory carrying encoded information about a signal wave s(x), x ∈ ℝ2, which can be generated in a certain output plane by illuminating the DE with a specified wavefront. The capability to generate a certain signal wave, defined in a signal window, is called the optical function of a DE. On one hand, a DE can be implemented as a passive optical component with a fixed optical function. Modern spatial light modulator (SLM) technology on the other hand allows adaptive implementations, where a computer addresses the optical device. The advantage is that the optical function of the DE can be changed with time. For this reason SLMs have a key role in the design of programmable opto-electronic devices for signal generation and processing.
Progress in developing and applying a young technology like diffractive optics for scientific or industrial purposes can be better supported by closely linking theory and practice. It is very helpful to validate theoretical reflections quickly by computer simulations and optical tests. However, to our knowledge, there does not yet exist a software system offering enough flexibility and comfortable handling to do extensive simulation experiments in diffractive optics. Such a system would help to concentrate on solving a given problem like the design of a diffractive element (DE) with a specific function.
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