A continuous phase plate for non-uniform illumination beam shaping using the inverse phase contrast method

This paper describes an algorithm for calculating the transmission function of a phase plate (PP) using the inverse phase contrast method. With this algorithm, calculations of a continuous PP that is less sensitive to wavelength variation can be made. A design of a continuous PP for beam shaping using the algorithm is simulated. The continuous PP can be used for beam shaping, pattern generation and light projection with a moderate bandwidth light source. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.