title: Optimized logarithmic phase masks used to generate defocus invariant modulation transfer function for wavefront coding system.
abstract: In a previous Letter [Opt. Lett. 33, 1171 (2008)], we proposed an improved logarithmic phase mask by making modifications to the original one designed by Sherif. However, further studies in another paper [Appl. Opt. 49, 229 (2010)] show that even when the Sherif mask and the improved one are optimized, their corresponding defocused modulation transfer functions (MTFs) are still not stable with respect to focus errors. So, by further modifying their phase profiles, we design another two logarithmic phase masks that exhibit more stable defocused MTF. However, with the defocus-induced phase effect considered, we find that the performance of the two masks proposed in this Letter is better than the Sherif mask, but worse than our previously proposed phase mask, according to the Hilbert space angle.
authors.affiliation: Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Science, 17 Xinxi Road, Xi'an Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710119, China. zhaohui1981.zju@gmail.com
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yingcai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li