Abstract

The theory of partial coherence is applied to the classical pinhole camera. This study extends the previous work of Reynolds and Ward, and derives the general transfer function for the pinhole camera. System performance is covered for all field conditions, from Fresnel to Fraunhofer, in closed solution. From initial considerations of the one-dimensional case, a technique for generating low-frequency, controlled-modulation sinusoidal irradiance distributions is established; its transfer function is determined. Experimental evidence is introduced to support the theoretical contentions; agreement is obtained.

© 1968 Optical Society of America

Ambiguity of the Transfer Function with Partially Coherent Illumination

Richard E. Swing and James R. Clay
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 57(10) 1180-1189 (1967)

Effect of the Phase Term in the Mutual Coherence Function on Aperture-Diffraction Patterns

R. A. Shore
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 58(11) 1484-1490 (1968)

Transfer Function for Cascaded Optical Systems

John B. DeVelis and George B. Parrent
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 57(12) 1486-1490 (1967)

Significance of the Phase of Optical Transfer Functions

Robert E. Hufnagel
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 58(11) 1505-1506 (1968)

An Instrument for Measuring Transfer Functions and Line Spread Functions of Camera Lenses

A. Bigelmaier, K. D. Schaefer, and H. Wasmund
Appl. Opt. 7(2) 277-281 (1968)