Abstract

A new technique for generation of binary masks for the fabrication of diffractive optical elements is presented. This technique, which uses ordinary desktop publishing software and hardware in conjunction with a standard photoreduction camera, is much faster and less expensive than the conventional methods. The short turnaround time and low cost should give researchers a much greater degree of flexibility in the field of binary optics and enable wider application of diffractive optics technology. The paper includes examples of optical elements made by the new technique.

© 1992 Optical Society of America