Focal modulation using rotating phase filters

Abstract

We describe a simple method of refocusing optical systems that is based on the use of two identical phase filters. These filters are divided in annuli and each annulus is divided into sectors with a particular phase value. A controlled focus displacement is achieved by rotating one filter with respect to the other. This displacement is related with the filter parameters. Transverse responses are studied as a function of filters relative position. Furthermore, the experimental set up shows that theoretical prediction fit well with experimental results. The main advantage of this system is the ease of fabrication so that it could be useful in different applications requiring small size, light weight or thin systems, like mobile phone cameras, microscopy tomography, and others.