Abstract

A particular class of nondiffracting beams is discussed called the nondiffracting arrays (NDA’s). Such beams are useful for applications that require the projection of arrays of achromatic narrow light spots with a long depth of field. Regarding their general expression, NDA’s can be seen as three-dimensional interference fields whose narrow fringes are parallel to the propagation axis. We propose to use a compact and achromatic N-wave interferometer to generate them. This original solution, based on the use of a spider’s-web-shaped diffractive pupil, is studied experimentally.

© 1999 Optical Society of America

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