We show that the output from wavefront coding systems depends critically upon the optical imaging system. Our analysis is based on results using nondiffracting accelerated Airy beams. We review the similarities and critical differences between various optical systems and show computational results. We suggest new directions for improving the performance of these wavefront coding masks.

© 2011 OSA

1. E. R. Dowski and W. T. Cathey, “Extended depth of field through wave-front coding,” Appl. Opt.34(11), 1859–1866 (1995). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
2. S. S. Sherif, W. T. Cathey, and E. R. Dowski, “Phase plate to extend the depth of field of incoherent hybrid imaging systems,” Appl. Opt.43(13), 2709–2721 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
3. A. Sauceda and J. Ojeda-Castañeda, “High focal depth with fractional-power wave fronts,” Opt. Lett.29(6), 560–562 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
4. Q. Yang, L. Liu, and J. Sun, “Optimized phase pupil masks for extended depth of field,” Opt. Commun.272(1), 56–66 (2007). [CrossRef]
5. N. Caron and Y. Sheng, “Polynomial phase masks for extending the depth of field of a microscope,” Appl. Opt.47(22), E39–E43 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
6. M. S. Mirotznik, J. van der Gracht, D. Pustai, and S. Mathews, “Design of cubic-phase optical elements using subwavelength microstructures,” Opt. Express16(2), 1250–1259 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
7. D. Hong, K. Park, H. Cho, and M. Kim, “Flexible depth-of-field imaging system using a spatial light modulator,” Appl. Opt.46(36), 8591–8599 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
8. G. A. Siviloglou and D. N. Christodoulides, “Accelerating finite energy Airy beams,” Opt. Lett.32(8), 979–981 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
9. M. A. Bandres, “Accelerating parabolic beams,” Opt. Lett.33(15), 1678–1680 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
10. G. A. Siviloglou, J. Broky, A. Dogariu, and D. N. Christodoulides, “Observation of accelerating Airy beams,” Phys. Rev. Lett.99(21), 213901 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
11. G. A. Siviloglou, J. Broky, A. Dogariu, and D. N. Christodoulides, “Ballistic dynamics of Airy beams,” Opt. Lett.33(3), 207–209 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
12. J. A. Davis, M. J. Mintry, M. A. Bandres, and D. M. Cottrell, “Observation of accelerating parabolic beams,” Opt. Express16(17), 12866–12871 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
13. J. A. Davis, M. J. Mitry, M. A. Bandres, I. Ruiz, K. P. McAuley, and D. M. Cottrell, “Generation of accelerating Airy and accelerating parabolic beams using phase-only patterns,” Appl. Opt.48(17), 3170–3176 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
14. M. A. Bandres (personal communication, 2010).
15. M. A. Bandres and J. C. Gutiérrez-Vega, “Airy-Gauss beams and their transformation by paraxial optical systems,” Opt. Express15(25), 16719–16728 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Appl. Opt.

• E. R. Dowski and W. T. Cathey, “Extended depth of field through wave-front coding,” Appl. Opt.34(11), 1859–1866 (1995). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• S. S. Sherif, W. T. Cathey, and E. R. Dowski, “Phase plate to extend the depth of field of incoherent hybrid imaging systems,” Appl. Opt.43(13), 2709–2721 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• N. Caron and Y. Sheng, “Polynomial phase masks for extending the depth of field of a microscope,” Appl. Opt.47(22), E39–E43 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• D. Hong, K. Park, H. Cho, and M. Kim, “Flexible depth-of-field imaging system using a spatial light modulator,” Appl. Opt.46(36), 8591–8599 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• J. A. Davis, M. J. Mitry, M. A. Bandres, I. Ruiz, K. P. McAuley, and D. M. Cottrell, “Generation of accelerating Airy and accelerating parabolic beams using phase-only patterns,” Appl. Opt.48(17), 3170–3176 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Opt. Commun.

• Q. Yang, L. Liu, and J. Sun, “Optimized phase pupil masks for extended depth of field,” Opt. Commun.272(1), 56–66 (2007). [CrossRef]

Opt. Express

• J. A. Davis, M. J. Mintry, M. A. Bandres, and D. M. Cottrell, “Observation of accelerating parabolic beams,” Opt. Express16(17), 12866–12871 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• M. A. Bandres and J. C. Gutiérrez-Vega, “Airy-Gauss beams and their transformation by paraxial optical systems,” Opt. Express15(25), 16719–16728 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• M. S. Mirotznik, J. van der Gracht, D. Pustai, and S. Mathews, “Design of cubic-phase optical elements using subwavelength microstructures,” Opt. Express16(2), 1250–1259 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Opt. Lett.

• A. Sauceda and J. Ojeda-Castañeda, “High focal depth with fractional-power wave fronts,” Opt. Lett.29(6), 560–562 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• G. A. Siviloglou and D. N. Christodoulides, “Accelerating finite energy Airy beams,” Opt. Lett.32(8), 979–981 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• M. A. Bandres, “Accelerating parabolic beams,” Opt. Lett.33(15), 1678–1680 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• G. A. Siviloglou, J. Broky, A. Dogariu, and D. N. Christodoulides, “Ballistic dynamics of Airy beams,” Opt. Lett.33(3), 207–209 (2008). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Phys. Rev. Lett.

• G. A. Siviloglou, J. Broky, A. Dogariu, and D. N. Christodoulides, “Observation of accelerating Airy beams,” Phys. Rev. Lett.99(21), 213901 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Other

• M. A. Bandres (personal communication, 2010).

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