title: Interferometric measurement of the optical phase distribution for Fresnel diffraction by a straightedge.
abstract: The phase structure of the optical field diffracted from a straightedge has been measured using an ac interferometer. The measured phase distribution is in good agreement with the predictions of scalar diffraction theory.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Moore