1.

INTRODUCTION

The fractional Fourier transform, which is an extension of the conventional Fourier transform to the fractional order has been introduced into the mathematics literature by Namias[1] in 1980; recently, Mendlovic, Ozaktas and others authors [2-6] introduced a new tool for image analysis in optics; since then, its properties, optical implementation and applications have been studied extensively. An operational definition of fractional Fourier transform in optics and the interpretation of fractional order Fourier transform as the mathematical representation of Fresnel diffraction was stated. Lohmann gave a different definition of the fractional Fourier transform that is based on the Wigner distribution functions. The purpose of this paper is to formulate the fractional order Fourier transform operator; this formula gives the direct relationship between input and output of multi-element optical system.

The study of the ray transfer matrix is particularly useful to simplify the analysis of optical situations; the Collins formula, is a diffraction integral formula for complicated optical system and establishes a bridge between the ray optics and wave optics under paraxial approximation. We show how the combinations of the ray transfer matrix, the Collins formula and the fractional order Fourier transform, result in a new approach suitable for the study of optical structures, where the propagation of light can be viewed as a process of continual fractional Fourier transformation.

2.

Ray transfer matrix

Under paraxial conditions the properties of rays in optical system can be treated with the elegant formalism of the ray transfer matrix; a paraxial ray in a given cross section of an optical system is characterized by its distance of x from the optic axis and slope x'. If this slope is assumed small, the ray path through any given structure depends on the structure’s optical properties, of the structure and on the input conditions. In this situation the relation between the input and output parameters is given for:

The ABCD matrix is called the ray transfer matrix and generally speaking the determinant is unity.

3.

The fractional Fourier transform and the Collins formula

From plane U _A (ξ,η) to U _P (u, v), the diffraction field amplitude can be written in Collins diffraction integral equation; the Collins formula in space-domain which gives the relationship between the input complex amplitude U _A (ξ,η) and the output one U _P (u, v)can be rewritten as:

Illuminating the input plane U _A (ξ,η) with the spherical wave of the radius, after a little algebra; the equation (2) can be written in a considerably simpler manner in terms of the fractional order Fourier transform given by:

Where:

A fractional Fourier transform relation ℑ^α of order n_α between the output field complex amplitude U _P (u, v) and the input field complex U _A (ξ,η), can be obtained with ; (α real parameter).

The phase factor it is a quadratic phase factor representing a quadratic approximation to a spherical wave, therefore the field complex amplitude over the output U _P (u,v) is over spherical surface with the radius R₂ and proportional to the Fractional Fourier Transform of order α of the input field complex amplitude U _A (ξ,η), Where:

Then it can be concluded that any ABCD optical system satisfying the relation (5) can implement a fractional order Fourier transform between spherical surfaces with R₁ and R₂ radius.

4.

General optics system analyzed as fractional order Fourier transform.

Equation (5) implies that the condition for a fractional order Fourier transform is that B ≠ 0; in this situation the field amplitude U _P (u, v) represents the fractional order Fourier transform of the field amplitude U_a(ξ,η), note that, just as with the wave optics operators, the ray transfer matrices should be applied in the sequence in which the structures are encountered if light propagates first through a structure with ray transfer matrix M₁, then through a structure with ray transfer matrix M₂, etc, with a final structure having ray transfer matrix M_n, then the overall ray transfer matrix for the entire system is M = M_n…M₂M₁.

4.1.

Fractional order Fourier transform relation between the amplitude distributions of light on two spherical surfaces of given radii and ray transfer matrix.

Note that Eq (5) implies that R₁ > B and ; D ≠ 0; then a fractional order

Fourier transform relation exist between two spherical surfaces of radii ^R₁ and ^R₂. We can now write Eq (5) in the form:

Then it can be concluded that any ABCD optical system satisfying the relation (6) can implement a fractional order Fourier transform, we now discuss the consequences of this equation from five perspectives:

• 1. A fractional order Fourier transform relation exists between two spherical surfaces of radii R₁ and R₂ if and only .

• 2. Letting α = π (the parity transformation) it is possible to show that Eq (6) implies the well known imaging condition for multielement optical system.

• 3. Letting (the usual Fourier transform) in Eq (6) we see that the complex amplitude distribution of the field in the spherical surfaces of radii R₂ is the standard Fourier transform of the field on the spherical surface of radii R₁.

• 4. In Eq (6) we can easily find the confinement stability condition for multielement resonator; which coincides with the result obtained by self – consistence method for resonators. We can say that a fractional Fourier transform relation of order a between spherical surfaces of radii R₁ and R₂ implies the confinement stability condition for multielement spherical mirror resonator.

• 5. In accordance with Eq (3) and Eq (6) the diffraction integral evaluation of an multielement optical system can be easily carried out in terms of the ABCD matrix.

In the particular situation when the Eq (6) implies that ; then the matrix element A = 0 and the result turns out to the usual Fourier transform.

4.3.

Fractional order Fourier transform operator.

According to equation (3) only one operator is used to express field transfer by diffraction for an optical system described by an ABCD matrix; the relationship between the input and output functions can be established by Eq (3). To understand how to use this operator, consider an spherical emitter U_A (ξ,η) of radii R₁ followed by section of free space d₁, followed by lens of focal length f₁, followed by section of free space d₂, followed by lens of focal length f ₂, followed by section of free space d₃, and spherical receiver U _P (u, v) of radii R₂ (Fig. 1). The corresponding ABCD matrix reads as:

Fig. 1.

Optical system between spherical emitter and spherical receiver.

According to operator in equation (3), the relationship between the complex amplitude distribution on the spherical emitter U_A (ξ,η) with radii R₁ and the complex amplitude distribution on the spherical receiver U _P (u, v) with radii R₂ can be established as:

Given R₁ and ABCD matrix; if we wished to design a fractional Fourier transform system with specific order α using Eq (5) we can obtain R₂.

Given R₁, R₂ and ABCD matrix if we wish to design a fractional Fourier transform system using Eq (6) we can obtain the specific order α.

In fig. 1. alternatively, let us consider an pair of planar surfaces with R₁ → ∞ and R₂ → ∞, it is now possible derived the well known Fourier transforming properties of lenses by Goodmann (d₃ = 0 and f₂ → ∞), the canonical assemblies by Lohmann, (^{d₁= d₂ d₃ =0}, ^{f₁ = f}, and ^{f₂ → ∞} type-I setup); (d₁ = d₃ = 0 and f₁ = f₂ = f type-II setup), the imaging condition (α = π, d₃ = 0 and f₂ → ∞) optical system as performing two consecutive fractional Fourier transform operations (d₂ = d₁ + d₃); condition for U _P (u, v) to be the coherent image of U_A(ξ,η) and U _P (u, v) to be the standard Fourier transformation of U_A(ξ,η) ().

This result shows that the fractional order Fourier transform operator Eq (3) provide a convenient and systematic technique for analysis of optical system described by an ABCD matrix

5.

Summary

In this paper using the Collins formula, the ray transfer matrix and the fractional order Fourier transform we have derived the fractional order Fourier transform operator; in addition this operator provide a new way of analyzing optical system involving several lenses and mirrors separated by arbitrary distances.