Asymmetric point-spread function in the tilted plane

Abstract

In this article, we focus on the problem of sampling a point spread function (PSF) in a tilted plane for computational wave optics and holography. Conventionally, the PSF represents a symmetric wavefield distribution expressed in an orthogonal plane to the target hologram. In contrast, we reveal the wavefield for a point-spread function over a tilted plane, showing an asymmetric structure depending on the tilt angle. An asymmetric PSF formula was mathematically derived and proposed. The axial propagation of the asymmetric PSF was validated by applying it to the point-polygon hybrid method of computer-generated holograms. The off-axis propagation of the asymmetric PSF was confirmed in optical experiments by modulating the obliquely incident light with the asymmetric phase pattern uploaded to the spatial light modulator. The proposed method allows accurate off-axis light, propagation, which is not possible with a conventional symmetric PSF.