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Refraction and Diffraction in the First-Order Born Approximation

Wolfgang Singer and Reinhard Völkel, Institute of Microtechnology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Recently it was demonstrated that refraction, reflection, and diffraction of a field distribution at an interface can be treated by the first-order Born approximation. Therefore, the Born approximation can be applied to various design problems like the design of blazed phase gratings or surface relief elements. Even "classical" optical lens systems, consisting of single refracting surfaces, can be treated with this new approach. The calculation of the transmitted and reflected field can be performed by the use of a fast Fourier algorithm only.