Free-space Fresnel diffraction for the approximation of fractional Fourier transform

Fractional Fourier transformation of an object can be approximated by the object's free-space Fresnel diffraction pattern under some restricted conditions and plane wave illumination according to Hua's method. A better approximation is achieved under least-squared conditions developed in this paper. Simulation results verify that our theoretical development works for any fractional order a compared with the previous approach.