Computer synthesized diffraction patterns

Abstract

An efficient algorithm for the computation of monochromatic and polychromatic diffraction in the region of the focus of a converging wavefront has been devised for the Perkin-Elmer RAY-GODE optical design computer program. The algorithm generates a digitized map of intensity over an area defined by the user. With this map energy distribution can be integrated in different ways. Also, the program plots an analog map which closely resembles photographs of so-called aerial images of artificial stars observed under a microscope.