Comparison of geometrical and diffraction optical transfer functions

Virendra N. Mahajan; José Antonio Díaz

doi:10.1117/12.2189862

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3 September 2015 Comparison of geometrical and diffraction optical transfer functions

Virendra N. Mahajan, José Antonio Díaz

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Proceedings Volume 9578, Current Developments in Lens Design and Optical Engineering XVI; 957806 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2189862
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The geometrical and diffraction point-spread functions of an optical imaging system have been reviewed and compared in the past [V. N. Mahajan, “Comparison of geometrical and diffraction point-spread functions,” SPIE Proc. 3729, 434-445 (1999)]. In this paper, we review and compare its corresponding optical transfer functions. While the truth lies with the diffraction OTF, it is considered easier and quicker to calculate the geometrical OTF, especially for large aberrations. We briefly describe the theory of the two OTFs, and explore the range of spatial frequencies and the magnitude of the primary aberrations over which the geometrical OTF may provide a reasonable approximation of the diffraction OTF.

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Virendra N. Mahajan and José Antonio Díaz "Comparison of geometrical and diffraction optical transfer functions", Proc. SPIE 9578, Current Developments in Lens Design and Optical Engineering XVI, 957806 (3 September 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2189862

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