Talbot array illuminators with optimum compression ratio.

We describe Talbot array illuminators that generate, at fractions of the Talbot distance, arrays of bright spots with optimum compression ratio. We compare the performance of these Talbot array illuminators with that of an array of parabolic lenses.

Synthesis of analog apodizers with binary angular sectors.

We describe a new procedure for generating complex amplitude distributions along the optical axis of an optical processor by the use of binary masks in the form of binary angular sectors. This type of binary spatial filter acts as a gray-level apodizer with rotational symmetry. Experimental verifications are included.

Bessel functions: parallel display and processing.

We present an optical setup that converts planar binary curves into two-dimensional amplitude distributions, which are proportional, along one axis, to the Bessel function of order n, whereas along the other axis the order n increases. This Bessel displayer can be used for parallel Bessel transformation of a signal. Experimental verifications are included.