title: Realization of optical carpets in the Talbot and Talbot-Lau configurations.
abstract: Talbot and Talbot-Lau effects are frequently used in lensless imaging applications with light, ultrasound, x-rays, atoms and molecules--generally in situations where refractive optical elements are non-existent or not suitable. We here show an experimental visualization of the intriguing wave patterns that are associated with near-field interferometry behind a single periodic diffraction grating under plane wave illumination and which are often referred to as Talbot carpets or quantum carpets. We also show the patterns behind two separated diffraction gratings under nearly-monochromatic but spatially incoherent illumination that illustrate the nature of Talbot-Lau carpets.
authors.affiliation: University of Vienna, Faculty of Physics, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Wien.
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Case
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomandl
authors.forename: Sarayut
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deachapunya
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arndt
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D007259:Infrared Rays; D007368:Interferometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015233:Models, Statistical; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D011789:Quantum Theory; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction