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arXiv · 1204.5994

Aberration-like cusped focusing in the post-paraxial Talbot effect

James D Ring·Jari Lindberg·Christopher J Howls·Mark R Dennis
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Abstract

We present an analysis of self-imaging in a regime beyond the paraxial, where deviation from simple paraxial propagation causes apparent self-imaging aberrations. The resulting structures are examples of aberration without rays and are described analytically using post-paraxial theory. They are shown to relate to, but surprisingly do not precisely replicate, a standard integral representation of a diffraction cusp. Beyond the Talbot effect, this result is significant as it illustrates that the effect of aberration -- as manifested in the replacement of a perfect focus with a cusp-like pattern -- can occur as a consequence of improving the paraxial approximation, rather than due to imperfections in the optical system.

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James D Ring, Jari Lindberg, Christopher J Howls, Mark R Dennis. 2012-04-26. Aberration-like cusped focusing in the post-paraxial Talbot effect. https://doi.org/10.1088/2040-8978%2F14%2F7%2F075702

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