Abstract

The conversion of a frequency-modulated light signal to a spatially-modulated light signal via an ideal linear dispersing element is considered. The purpose of the paper is to examine discrepancies between the results of an analysis based on the exact but complicated spectral approach to frequency modulation, as opposed to the results of an analysis based on the intuitive and often approximately correct varying-frequency approach. The spatial Fourier transform of the dispersed signal is calculated and then used as a moment generating function to obtain expressions for the centroid motion and width of the optical beam. Conditions for the validity of the varying-frequency approach are given.

© 1964 Optical Society of America

Cuprous Chloride Light Modulators*

F. Sterzer, D. Blattner, and S. Miniter
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 54(1) 62-68 (1964)

Magneto-Optic Modulation of a Light Beam in Sodium Vapor*

Bernhard M. Schmidt, John M. Williams, and Dudley Williams
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 54(4) 454-459 (1964)

Generalized Analysis of the Dispersion of Modulated or Time-Varying Light

J. Richard Kerr
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 57(10) 1210-1216 (1967)

Modulation Transfer Function Associated with Image Transmission through Turbulent Media

R. E. Hufnagel and N. R. Stanley
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 54(1) 52-61 (1964)

Visual Responses to Two Alternating Trains of High-Frequency Intermittent Stimuli*†

Tapas K. Sen
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 54(3) 386-393 (1964)