Multispectral imaging axicons

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Diffractive Optics
• Optical Metrology

Background:

• Linear diffractive axicons produce achromatic, nondiffracting beams with extended depth of focus using white light.
• Annular apertures in diffractive optics can separate chromatic foci, enabling color imaging despite radiometric losses.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce and characterize a new class of diffractive optics: multiple annular linear diffractive axicons (MALDA).
• Explore the potential of MALDA devices for advanced color imaging systems with long focal depths and high diffraction efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Multiplexing concentric annular axicons with optimized sizes and periods to create MALDA.
• Experimental demonstration of MALDA devices for color imaging applications.
• Analysis of manufacturing challenges associated with fabricating MALDA.

Main Results:

• MALDA designs allow for optimized recombination, separation, or interleaving of color foci.
• Experimental results validate the performance of MALDA in color imaging.
• Identified key manufacturing considerations for efficient and high-quality MALDA fabrication.

Conclusions:

• MALDA represents a significant advancement in diffractive axicon technology for color imaging.
• These devices offer a promising solution for multispectral image analysis requiring extended focal depths and good diffraction efficiency.
• Further development in fabrication techniques will enhance the applicability of MALDA in various optical systems.