Optical Image Formation and Processing

by M. Françon

Optical Image Formation and Processing describes modern physical optics, particularly concerning interference, diffraction, and a simplified theory of partial coherence. The book also discusses polarization, with emphasis on interference phenomena on polarized light. An image is formed in terms of the filtering of spatial frequencies, filtering that is due to transfer function. The text explains holography—a reconstruction of the image of an object beginning from the diffraction patterns produced by the object. A computer can also create artificial variations from the photographic plate which records the hologram, and can synthesize the hologram. The book cites an example of the synthesis of a hologram by a computer using the principle of binary holograms. The text also reviews some experiments dealing with the properties of lasers associated with temporal coherence and power. The book explains that lasers can carry large amounts of information due to their very high frequencies in the order of 300, 000 gigahertz, and recommends the use of optical fibers as the transmission medium instead of using open air. This book can prove useful for technicians, students, and professor connected with optical physics.

234 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979