Abstract

Computer generated holograms and diffractive optical elements are desired for a wide range of applications including optical interconnects, pattern recognition filters, binary phase filters, laser beam combiners, and displays. However, methods to design and produce them have been cumbersome. Typically, software been written anew for each application in Fortran on large computers and used to address e-beam lithography devices (1). This process results in submicron resolution but is slow, inflexible and costly. Only recently have efforts begun to bring to diffractive optics the highly developed computer aided design tools available for other engineering disciplines (2). Research and practical applications of diffractive/holographic elements of all kinds would be accelerated if there existed a simple, quick, low cost and easy to use method for creating optical patterns even of moderate resolution (1-3 microns).

© 1989 Optical Society of America